Question

he Japan tsunami in 2011 traveled from one side of the ocean basin to the other. Which answer below is the closest to the speed of this wave as it 
traveled over a seafloor with a water depth of 6000 meters?

A) 200 miles per hour
B) 221 meters per second
C) 300 miles per hour
D) 242 meters per second
E) 100 meters per second

Answer 1

Answer:

D) 242 meters per second

Explanation:

The tsunami speed (or phase velocity) is independent of the wave period; it dispersion relation is given in terms of  the acceleration of gravity g by the following equation:

$V=\sqrt{(g)(D)}$

Where D = water depth, and g = gravity (9.81 m /seg2)

Considering 6000meters as our water depth:

$V=\sqrt{(9.81)(6000)}$

$V=\sqrt{(58860)}\\V=242$ meters per seconds

I hope you find this information useful and interesting! Good luck!