How to Make a Model of a Tsunami Wave for Kids

Tsunamis leave massive damage and flooding to coastlines in their wake.

A tsunami is a series of waves with extremely long wavelength that results from an underwater disturbance such as seismic activity, volcanoes, meteorite impact or landslides. These giant waves are dangerous and destructive when they approach a coastline, wiping out entire towns in seconds. They are long but don't have much height in the open ocean. When they move to shallower water, they become much shorter and can reach 30 meters in height. There are three types of earthquake-generated waves, which can be easily demonstrated.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber mallet
• Clear plastic container
• Record-keeping notebook

Instructions

1. Fill a clear plastic container halfway with water and place it on a table.

2. Strike the front edge of the table lightly with a rubber mallet. Striking the front of the table produces a P wave, or primary wave.

3. Observe the motion of the water inside the container. Make notes or a diagram of what you see.

4. Strike the table with the mallet a second time, this time on the top of the table. This strike represents an L wave, or surface wave. Make notes or drawings of your observations as you did before.

5. Strike the table with the mallet a third time, this time on the side of the table. This strike creates an S wave, or secondary wave. Record your observations.

References

• Discovery Education: Dynamic Earth
• Teacher Vision: What is a Tsunami?
• Windows to the Universe: What is a Tsunami?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish