Tsunami Impacts Work Sheet
Name: ____________________
This activity will be used to study the impact of tsunamis on different shores and slopes. While
doing this experiment, be sure to observe what happens during the strike and consider what will happen
after. You can also reference any actual tsunami strikes that you are aware of.
Instructions:
1. Use the sheet of thick plastic to create a shallow slope (very flat)
2. Put some monopoly houses along the slope
3. Place a second piece of plastic in the opposite end of the container, standing on end like a
divider, touching the bottom.
4. Pull the divider forward towards the shore in one smooth motion (as if you were making the
container smaller). Try and use the same amount of force you would use to close a door, not to
hard and not too gentle. The object of the activity is to create a large smooth wave, not to slosh
all the water out of the container.
5. Record the results of your tsunami, what did you notice?
6. Repeat the experiment, replacing the shallow shore with a steep shore.
During and after your experiments, fill out the following table and answer the following questions:
Shallow shore observations :
Before the Tsunami:
After the tsunami :
Steep shore observations :
Before the Tsunami:
After the tsunami :
Part B
1. After completing the experiment, fill in what you think would happen to the following:
During
After
Prepared by Monika Pelz, Ocean Networks Canada 2013
Tsunami Impacts Work Sheet
Water
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local fresh
drinking
local
ocean/shore
People
Animals
Structures, buildings
Business
Tourism/economy
Other
Impacts of a Tsunami facilitator sheet
Water
local fresh
drinking
local ocean/shore
During
 The ocean recedes suddenly be for
rising back up the shore.
 Streams and estuaries may become
choked with sea water as the ocean
surges in.
After
 Local fresh water may have been contaminated by
salt water as the sea water came in.
 Drinking water may not be available depending on if
salty water entered the water table or reservoir.
 Infrastructure (pipes and wells) are destroyed so
Prepared by Monika Pelz, Ocean Networks Canada 2013
Tsunami Impacts Work Sheet

People
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Animals
Pets
Livestock (cows,
farm animals)
Wild animals

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
Structures, buildings


Business


Tourism/economy


Other

May be killed or injured if they are not
able to evacuate.
Likely will need to leave all possessions
behind to escape.
May have their home destroyed.
May or may not be able to escape
depending on confinement.
May be washed out to sea or freed due
to movement of water (pens
destroyed).
May have natural food and habitat
sources destroyed.
Destroyed by materials in the flood
water.
Damaged by cars and other structures
moved by the water.
Same as buildings.
Merchandise may be destroyed or
damaged, may be moved.
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Many hotels on beach fronts.
Many people may be enjoying the
beach or out on ships that may be
forced into the harbor.

See students for ideas and explanations.


people can’t get to the water.
May be large areas of standing water that is not able
to get back out to sea.
May be displaced if their home is destroyed.
May need to enter areas that are dangerous or
unstable (damaged buildings) to retrieve possessions,
supplies or rescue people.
May be outbreaks of disease.
May be an influx of international aid from other
nations.
May be looting and theft.
May need to be caught and returned to farmers for
proper care.
May have natural food sources and habitat
destroyed.
May need to venture into human areas for survival.
May disrupt natural patterns (migrations, hunting,
and breeding).
May be unstable and unsafe for humans to live in.
May be totally or partially flooded (basements, lower
areas of homes).
Same as buildings.
May be damaged by looters.
Merchandise may be stolen or damaged by water.
Lack of power after.
Exposure to elements (broken windows let in rain,
wind etc.).
Future tourists might shy from the area; (no money
coming in).
Infrastructure (hotels, attractions) may not be able to
cater to needs and wants and may not be able to
make money.
See students for ideas and explanations.
Prepared by Monika Pelz, Ocean Networks Canada 2013