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Published October 1939 | Published
Journal Article Open

Tsunamis and earthquakes

Gutenberg, B.

Abstract

Strong earthquakes occurring near an oceanic coast are sometimes followed by alternating advances and recessions of the sea, which may even rush inland several kilometers over beaches, carry ships ashore, crush houses, then recede far beyond the normal shore, and in repeated oscillations cause great damage and loss of life. In the open ocean, these waves are of so great length that they are not dangerous. In general, their period is between a quarter- and a half-hour; their velocity in an ocean of the constant depth h is approximately √gh. This gives about 220 m/sec, in water 5 km. deep, and about 70 m/sec, in water 500 m. deep; the corresponding lengths of waves with a period of 30 min. are about 400 km. and 130 km., respectively.

Additional Information

Copyright © 1939, by the Seismological Society of America. Manuscript received for publication July 17, 1939.

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August 19, 2023
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