Height of tsunami waves: When waves generated by tsunamis approach shore, the height of the waves generally increases. Understanding the factors that contribute to this increase can aid in controlling...

Height of tsunami waves: When waves generated by tsunamis approach shore, the height of the waves generally increases. Understanding the factors that contribute to this increase can aid in controlling potential damage to areas at risk. Green’s law tells how water depth affects the height of a tsunami wave. If a tsunami wave has height H at an ocean depth D, and the wave travels to a location of water depth d, then the new height h of the wave is given by h = HR0.25, where R is the water depth ratio given by R = D d .

a. Calculate the height of a tsunami wave in water 25 feet deep if its height is 3 feet at its point of origin in water 15,000 feet deep.

 b. If water depth decreases by half, the depth ratio R is doubled. How is the height of the tsunami wave affected?