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Chapter 10, Problem 1TC
To determine

The reason why seiches and tsunami are referred to as “shallow-water waves” even though they move across the deepest ocean basins.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1TC

Seiches and tsunami are in shallow or intermediate depth in water since the depth of ocean is not more than 50 kilometers.

Explanation of Solution

Even though seiches and tsunamis move across the deepest ocean basin, they are referred as shallow water waves. Because most of the ocean floor has a depth more than 125 meters, and it is half the wavelength of very large wind waves. A deep water wave can be defined as a wave in water that is deeper than half of its wavelength. The wavelength of a seismic wave generally exceeds 100 kilometers. No ocean has a depth of 50 kilometers. Therefore, seiches, seismic sea waves, and tides are in a shallow or intermediate depth in water. Its huge orbit circles flattening against a distant bottom will always be less than half of its wavelength.

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