From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Tue Apr 23 2002 - 16:06:39 MDT
"Michael M. Butler" wrote:
>
> To better understand how sliding sediments create tsunamis, Dr. Synolakis and
> his colleagues conducted experiments earlier this month at Oregon State
> University. In what looks like a small swimming pool, they slid a
> wedged-shaped block down the slanted bottom of the pool and measured the size
> of the waves. They varied the weight of the wedge between 200 and 1,000 pounds
> by adding lead weights.
>
> The measurements show that, contrary to earlier beliefs, that the largest
> waves are not caused by the push of the wedge.
>
> "The big thing is sucking water down" behind the sliding wedge, Dr. Synolakis
> said. "Now we find most of the energy is expended in creating the wave on the
> back end of the slide," which head in the opposite direction — toward the
> shore.
THis gives me an idea for a sf thriller novel about terrorists who hold
the world hostage to slide-induced tsunamis. If explosives will work for
triggering avalanches, they should work for these as well....
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