Look for: These waves move out from the location where…

3.A.2 Analyze and interpret data from different wave models to identify patterns in how the wave forms initially and moves toward shore, changing height (amplitude) as it interacts with the ocean floor.

After analyzing the NOAA Tsunami Model, listen for students to identify the following key ideas:

• These waves move out from the location where the plates move and collide with one another (the earthquake’s epicenter) in all directions.
• The waves farther out in the ocean where the earthquake first happens (nearer to the epicenter) are not as big as the ones near the shore.
• As the waves move toward the shore, their height (amplitude) changes (based on the color scale in the model), in most cases getting taller as they get closer to land.
• The waves that reach land closer to where the earthquake happens are taller than those that reach land farther from the epicenter.
• Waves reflect off (or bounce off) things they collide with in the ocean, like shorelines and islands.

This visualization model is complex due to the amount of different measurements being represented. Some students may struggle with recording observations while watching. Watch the visualization several times so they have enough time to make sense of what they are observing and are able to find patterns of cause and effect. If possible, watch the video once as a class and then have students play it again in small groups to make their observations. If students do not develop all the ideas listed above, their engagement with the two other wave models may support the development of these ideas from a different perspective.

Combine analyses of the second model and connect to tsunamis. Show slide G. Say, What were some connections you and your partner made between the model we analyzed and how a tsunami behaves? Ask different pairs to share what they discussed, and encourage students to add to their handout if they hear ideas they agree with but had not recorded yet.