Tacoma Narrows Landslide Energy Activity

It may surprise you to know that a tsunami occurred in the Narrows back in 1949? How is that possible?

Assignment due one week from today:

  • Create a Google Slide document
  • Share it with me
  • Evaluate the Tacoma Narrows landslide of 1949

    • Describe the landslide and the resulting tsunami in appropriate detail (that means enough detail that a 12 year old would find interesting and informative.) (slide #1)

    • Explain the cause of that landslide. Once again, (that means enough detail that a 12 year old would find interesting and informative) (slide #2)

    • Explain the cause of the resulting tsunami using terms that you learned in our LAST unit and in this current unit using terms that someone studying the physics of tsunamis would understand (slide #3)

    • (slide #4) This is where you get a chance to flex your physics muscles and where you will get a chance to really excel! To wit: Please work with your group to determine a method to calculate the total energy imparted by the landslide into Puget Sound showing ALL calculations. This Document and especially the data in Table 3.2 found there will be MOST helpful in your analysis (YES you can find it and YES it is very understandable).
      • Once you have a general idea of how to proceed, pease then work on your own to create an annotated (with descriptions) explanation of your calculations while keeping in mind you will have to make certain assumptions and/or estimates as you go. The goal here is to do your very best to model the energy gained by the Puget Sound Narrows during that event. I'll be looking for ingenuity and imagination here, not just doing 'good enough'.

    NOTES: I am certainly aware that we are all not soil engineers, geologists, geophysicists or related professionals with years of experience behind us.

    THAT'S OK!!!!

    Nonetheless you must make certain assumptions as you proceed. Those should be apparent during your initial conversations with your group and your analysis of the data provided to you.

    Please feel free to innovate and imagine and just flat out *suppose*-- that is a KEY aspect to this assignment. After all, we are not after precise calculations that we'll publish in some sort of scientific journal but more a starting point to help us understand what might have occurred.

    In otherwords, release yourself from the constraints of going for the CORRECT ANSWER. Since, well, there isn't one for us.

    Your answer MUST be grounded in math and physics but you have wide latitude in how to proceed. Once again, please embrace the fact that your solution may very well be inaccurate. THAT'S OK!!!! As long as your solution has a solid foundation in physics and math you will be just fine!

    Any help that you find online should be documented with a clickable link at the bottom of the slide.

  • Please write in full and complete sentences but ONLY one slide per topic as outlined above.
  • Although it pains me to say this: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep in mind ANY copying and pasting will result in you earning a score of ZERO for that assignment (and a call home to your folks too!)