Launch!

In 2011, a devastating tsunami hit the eastern coast of Japan.  A similar event in 2004 hit Indonesia.  We recognized the incredibly difficult outcomes of these events through edited video and text, including loss of human life.  

As a class, we recognized the importance of figuring out what causes such large scale natural hazards with hopes of figuring out and developing realistic solutions--solutions that could notify a tsunami is above to come, warn people one is on its way, or reduce the effects of such a disaster.

This launch of a unit was much more somber, as we are fully aware that natural hazards can be traumatic for many, including some of our classmates and teachers.  We still pushed through, identifying related phenomena, documenting our questions, and coming up with ways in which can figure out the answers to our questions.

Our list of related phenomena included:

• hurricanes
• tornadoes
• blizzards
• hail storms
• earthquakes
• wild fires
• volcanic eruptions
• sandstorms
• mudslides
• avalanches
• droughts
• floods
• electrical storms

While we were thinking of investigations, we also recognized that it was important to consider how we'd develop solutions to the tsunami itself--solutions that could first detect the tsunami, then warn people, and lastly minimize the effects of one reaching land.  We shared with others, and then the whole class to create a list of possible solutions!

With all our questions, solutions, and investigation ideas, we agreed that before we even consider putting a solution in place, we'd have to figure out some science ideas regarding tsunamis!