Can the arrival time of a tsunami be accurately predicted?
When a tsunami is generated offshore the wave will behave as a shallow water wave. A shallow water wave is one that travels through water having a depth less than 1/20 of its wavelength. Knowing that the average Pacific Ocean depth is roughly three miles, oceanographers can determine the speed of the tsunami, and calculate the time it will take to travel between any two points. This information led to the development of travel-time charts that make it possible to predict the arrival time of a tsunami wherever it is generated. Due to the high speeds of these waves, a tsunami can travel across the Pacific Ocean is less than one day! Areas near the epicenter of earthquakes, landslides or volcanic activity are most vulnerable to the effects of a tsunami as they cannot be properly warned by the Tsunami Warning Center of the coming danger.
