2006-10-31 16:47:55 · 8 answers · asked by johnid 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
As far as it WILL go.
2006-10-31 16:50:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Curiously, the answer is that it might not go much farther inland than any other wave, or only a mile or so at best. This is hard to fathom, but if you've lived near an ocean or spent time on the beach, you've learned somethings about ocean wave dynamics just by observing.
I.e. you've maybe noticed that a 20-30 foot wave doesn't travel farther inland than a 3 foot wave. Why is that?
It's interesting to watch, but larger waves will draw water from the shore as they build. ... and larger waves begin to break much earlier (farther out) than the smaller wave.
Thus, a 4 mile-high wave might begin to break several miles out from the the shore...that's part of wave dynamics.
Also, the topography of the shore is another huge variable. Is a mountain range nearby? Or does the terrain raise sharply from the shore to heights of a few thousand feet within only a mile or so? Sharp terrain breaks a wave quickly, and kills the slosh too.
Also, a tsunami is much different than a big wave. But, that's a topic left for the reader to pursue. In short I'll say, a 4 mile high tsunami could be devasting...almost incalculable....the distance and devastation....
2006-11-01 01:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by gene_frequency 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The last time an asteroid hit the earth and caused that big of a tidal wave, almost all life was wiped off of the planet.
Doesn't answer your question (I don't know how you'd calculate a 16,000 foot wave's travel once it hit shore), but at least you know that the chances of you surviving anywhere on earth is virtually zero.
2006-11-01 00:57:47 · answer #3 · answered by geek49203 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yikes
depends which coastline you are talking about. Some places, like islands in the Pacific would be completely swamped. Others would get wet a long way inland until something stopped the wave, like a mountain range.
Scarey
2006-11-01 00:51:03 · answer #4 · answered by maggie_at0303 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do your math...check out relief and height above the sea level of an area.
2006-11-01 00:51:32 · answer #5 · answered by bibo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. From sea to shining sea.
2006-11-01 01:02:03 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
4 MILES high? Were all dead dont matter where you live if it hits your coast........
2006-11-01 00:50:51 · answer #7 · answered by Thumper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
44.44 mile
2006-11-01 00:50:00 · answer #8 · answered by stevehesterman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋