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Understanding the tsunami with a simple model

O. Helene·M. T. Yamashita
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Abstract

In this paper, we use the approximation of shallow water waves (Margaritondo G 2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 401) to understand the behaviour of a tsunami in a variable depth. We deduce the shallow water wave equation and the continuity equation that must be satisfied when a wave encounters a discontinuity in the sea depth. A short explanation about how the tsunami hit the west coast of India is given based on the refraction phenomenon. Our procedure also includes a simple numerical calculation suitable for undergraduate students in physics and engineering.

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O. Helene, M. T. Yamashita. 2006-06-26. Understanding the tsunami with a simple model. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807%2F27%2F4%2F016

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