Online Resource: NOAA Tsunami Workshop

US Tsunami Warning System website

What:  Workshop on the basics of earthquakes, plate tectonics, tsunami formation, tsunami safety, and emergency preparedness
Who: Middle and high school 

 After our positive experience with NOAA's Junior Hydrologist program, we were pleased to find another online workshop, this time with the US Tsunami Center. The coordinator gave us an option to have a presentation for 7th-9th graders, or younger and we opted for the former.

Our presenter went over the causes of tsunamis - the large majority (80%)  are caused by tectonic plates movement, but we were surprised to learn about meteotsunamis - even areas away from tectonic plate boundaries can experience tsunamis (though rare).

We also learned about a history of tsunamis - we have records dating a century or so back, but mankind has known of tsunamis based on stories that have passed down. Unfortunately, this knowledge can be lost, such as in the Dec 2004 tsunami - it was doubly tragic as many people were on vacation, and did not know the signs (e.g. tide receding rapidly) and instead ventured out in curiosity. As a result of that tragedy, the US Tsunami Warning Center switched to 24h operation and several countries now collaborate on a global tsunami warning system. 

Among the science facts that surprised us - tsunamis actually slow down as they approach shore. However, the column of water gets higher. The important thing is to learn the signs and respond accordingly - alerts are good, but recognizing the signs gives you more time to head inland 1 mile or go uphill.

Picture from NOAA's Science of Tsunamis

Our presenter covered her slide deck, and left time for questions. What followed next was 30 minutes of inquiry: Have you seen a tsunami? Which was the oldest tsunami? Biggest? Even we parents had an opportunity to ask questions (how is it the 2004 tsunami hit both sides of an island? Answer: wave reflection). It was clear our presenter was well versed with the science and history - several times, she drew out pictures from other slide decks, including data from Deep Ocean Access and Reporting Tsunamis (DART) buoys used in tsunami detection. 

At the end of the hour, we thanked our presenter. Living in the Bay Area, we have a vested interest in learning about tsunamis. The NOAA presentation allowed our students to learn in a helpful (as opposed to fearful) way: understanding the science, and learning how to react to it. We are thankful for NOAA making science accessible to homeschoolers like us, and see a glimpse of our Creator's power. 

Ps 42:7a  Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls.