Tsunami & Shallow Water (1D)

This interactive simulator explores Tsunami & Shallow Water (1D) in Waves & Sound. Linear η,u on H(x): c = √(gH) drops over shelf; Gaussian uplift impulse. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.

Who it's for: Best once you already know the basic definitions and want to build intuition. Typical context: Waves & Sound.

Key terms

  • tsunami
  • shallow
  • water
  • tsunami shallow water
  • waves
  • sound

How it works

**Shallow-water** intuition: a seabed **uplift** (Gaussian bump) launches a disturbance; **phase speed** **√(gH)** shrinks over the continental shelf, so energy crowds into a narrower, slower wave — the usual cartoon of **tsunami** approach.

Key equations

η_t + (Hu)_x = 0, u_t + gη_x = 0 (linear, depth H(x))