Question
How can I create a tsunami for a science project? What material will I need to make a earthquake?
Answer
You will need a "wave tank". This is really a fairly shallow box, open at the top and half filled with water. You need a "beach" at one end made of coarse sand or aquarium gravel, extending maybe 8 inches into the box. Then you need to make the waves (remember, a tsunami is a series of waves). The neatest way is to hinge a piece of wood to the bottom near one end, and provide a handle of just a peice of wire at the other edge of the board to move it with. After adding water, you can lift the edge of the board abruptly to sinulate the earthquake, and watch the waves. You can time them, you can photograph them, you can measure the distance between them, etc.<BR><BR>The box could be about 12" by 24" or larger or longer. 6" would be deep enough. You can line any box with plastic to make it waterproof. Put a little blue dye in the water for reality and help see the waves. Drop a couple matchsticks in the water so you can see how (and if) the water really moves.<BR><BR>I will look for a good reference for you. But, get a little help from your parents and get started. <BR><BR>I am the tsunami advisor for Hawaii Island Civil Defense. We have a good warning system here, as we do have quite a few tsunamis.<BR><BR>George Curtis University of Hawaii<BR> http://vrd.askvrd.org/services/answerschema.xml
