Tsunami warning in effect - NOW

**vifferman** · 30th September 2009, 08:13

Originally Posted by Usarka

It was 3 meters at American Samoa. Don't tsunami's get bigger as they travel?

No - why should they?
What does happen is that in the open sea, a tsunami is felt as just a swell, as it has a very long wavelength, but small amplitude. As the wave approaches the coastline, the shallowing water causes the wave to "feel" the bottom and the wavelength effectively reduces but the height increases - sort of a concertina effect.
However (but!) there are frictional losses and interference from other waveforms, reflection, etc., so most tsunamis dissipate during their travel.

**Usarka** · 30th September 2009, 08:15

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Sirens sounding at Ohope. Off for a look hehe.

Steve

Make the most of the opportunity - if the tide goes out, go out and pickup lots of seafood.

**vifferman** · 30th September 2009, 08:16

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Sirens sounding at Ohope. Off for a look hehe.

Yeah - run down to the sea and go, "OMIGOD - the water's all rushed away!" Then run down to pick up the floundering fish and get smacked by the wave.
Well... that's what might happen if it was a significant tsunami - as the wave height increases it sucks water from the shallow water.

**Swoop** · 30th September 2009, 08:22

Mother Nature has given birth to a big wave.
Happy Birthday little Sunami!

**BiK3RChiK** · 30th September 2009, 08:29

Hahaha... the air force has had a base at Whakatane Airport right on the coast for just over a week..... wonder if they are scrambling all their planes right about now!?.....

**Morcs** · 30th September 2009, 08:37

Oh crap my house is practically on the water...

Ah well, will find out what the deal is when i get home.

**BiK3RChiK** · 30th September 2009, 08:42

Whakatane Coastguard Webcam live streaming video....

http://www.coastguardwhakatane.co.nz/barcam.htm

**Stirts** · 30th September 2009, 08:46

Just heard Pauanui has been evacuated.

Get your floaties on people!!

**MSTRS:Me** · 30th September 2009, 08:51

Originally Posted by Slyer

Wow. A 1 metre wave.
This are serious business.

Better believe it. 'Normal' waves are not the leading edge of a pressure wave (like what you see in those aerial films of bomb explosions) nor do they travel at 100's KPH, nor do they continue to be forced inland by the following forces.

**TOTO** · 30th September 2009, 08:53

I've got rubber ducks stuffed in my pockets, nothing can go wrong now

**wbks** · 30th September 2009, 08:55

Originally Posted by Stirts

Just heard Pauanui has been evacuated.

Get your floaties on people!!

Time to rob some rich people!

**Dean** · 30th September 2009, 09:05

Anyone wanna meet up at the surf beach in orewa then ride along the sand and drag eachother when the waves come in. If you own a way faster bike I get a headstart, or Ill push you over in the water.

**Matt Bleck** · 30th September 2009, 09:08

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Better believe it. 'Normal' waves are not the leading edge of a pressure wave (like what you see in those aerial films of bomb explosions) nor do they travel at 100's KPH, nor do they continue to be forced inland by the following forces.

and that seem's to be the part that people don't get... how high was the one that hit Bali? less than a meter?