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2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division B)

Background

Tsunamis are ocean waves that are caused by large-scale disturbances of seawater. Tsunamis are primarily caused by earthquakes, but they may also be generated by undersea volcanic eruptions, landslides, or meteor impacts. Tsunamis spread outward in all directions from the point of the disturbance (e.g. an underwater earthquake) and can travel across an entire ocean in a matter of hours. When tsunamis reach land, they can produce gigantic waves in excess of 100 feet and can cause hundreds of deaths and property damage in the millions of dollars. Today, there are Tsunami Warning Centers that monitor high-risk areas, such as the Rim of the Pacific Ocean. These centers provide immediate warning to coastal populations when a tsunami event is detected.

Graphical Problem

The International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) maintains records of tsunamis and provides reference information on tsunami research, warning systems, and safety rules for coastal residents. On the ITIC web site, there is a special summary of five Pacific-Wide Historical Tsunamis that occurred in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s.

In Microsoft Excel, please construct a Column Chart to illustrate the wave heights that resulted from each of the five Pacific-Wide Tsunamis. The Y axis of your chart should represent the Maximum Wave Height (in Meters) that is mentioned in the ITIC summary for each tsunami. The X axis of your chart should show the Year that each of the five Pacific-Wide Tsunamis occurred.

Please place an appropriate title above your chart, and be sure to label both the X and Y axes per the instructions in the paragraph above.

Short Answer Questions

In Microsoft Word, please provide the answer and associated URL for each of the following questions. Once again, official ITIC web sites should be used as the source for your answers. Please note that several questions require two separate answers, and that complete sentences are NOT required in your response.

1. What is the date (Month, Day, Year) of the latest bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center? What was the magnitude of the earthquake that produced this tsunami? (5 Points Each)

2. What is the latitude (degrees North) and longitude (degrees East) of the Tsunami Field Monitoring Station in LaJolla, CA. (5 Points Each)

3. A Pacific-Wide Tsunami Warning is issued when the damage from a tsunami may extend over a distance of how many kilometers? (10 points)

4. In what year was the International Tsunami Information Center established and in what city is its office located? (5 points each).

5. How many people were killed and how many were left homeless by the tsunami in Nicaragua on September 2, 1992? (5 points each)

General Instructions

1. Please place your school name and team number at the top of your Excel and Word files.

2. Please name your files (school name).xls and (school name).doc and save as instructed.

3. Save your work regularly throughout the event.

4. Your Excel file should include both a spreadsheet data table and a Column Chart as described above.

5. Your Word file needs to include only the answers and URLs for each of the five questions.

6. Reference materials and calculators are not permitted. You may use blank scrap paper to organize your work.

7. This is a two-person event. Absolutely no external communication with others (e-mail, chat, or other).

8. Please raise your hand if you have a technical problem or question on the event.

9. Please speak in a low tone with your partner. Let’s keep the noise level down.

10. When you are done, please save your files and hand in your signed questions sheet.

THIS IS A TRIAL EVENT IN 2004. HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!

2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division B)

SCHOOL NAME _________________________________________ TEAM NUMBER _______

STUDENT SIGNATURES 1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

(Do Not Write Below This Line)

(Event Supervisor Use Only)

PLACE __________

Completeness & Accuracy of Quantitative Data Collected (20 Points Max) ______

Specific Years of Pacific-Wide Tsunamis _____ (10 Points)

Maximum Wave Heights (in Meters) _____ (10 Points)

Completeness, Accuracy, and Format of Graphical Data (30 Points Max) ______

Column Chart Format _____ (5 Points)

Title Above Graph _____ (5 Points)

X Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

Y Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

At Least One Column Plotted _____ (5 Points)

Exactly Five Columns Plotted _____ (5 Points)

Answers and URL’s for Short Answer Questions (50 Points Max) ______

1. Date & Magnitude of Latest Tsunami _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

2. Latitude & Longitude of LaJolla _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

3. Pacific-Wide Tsunami (km) _____ (10 Points)

4. Year and City for ITIC _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

5. Killed and Homeless (on 9/2/92) _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

TOTAL SCORE ______

TIE BREAKER: [ ] Short Answer Questions [ ] Quantitative Data Collected [ ] Overall Graphical Quality

2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division B)

Quantitative Data Collection (20 Points)

YEAR MAX WAVE HEIGHT

1946 35.0 m

1952 18.4 m

(2 Points Each, 20 Points Total)

1957 22.8 m

1960 25.0 m

1964 6.3 m

Graphical Presentation (30 Points)

Column Chart Format (5 Points)

Title Above Graph (5 Points)

X Axis Labeled (5 Points)

Y Axis Labeled (5 Points)

At Least One Column Plotted (5 Points)

Exactly Five Columns Plotted (5 Points)

Short Answer Questions (50 Points)

(1) May 3, 2004, 6.8 (5 Points Each)

(2) 32.8667N, 117.2583E (5 Points Each)

(3) 1000 km (10 Points)

(4) 1965, Honolulu (5 Points Each)

(5) 170 Killed, 13,000 Homeless (5 Points Each)

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Compute This!

Sample Problem from 2004 National Tournament

Note: This sample problem is provided to illustrate the format and structure of a Compute This! problem.

For 2010, all problems will be focused on the topic of space science and exploration and will be extracted from the greater Internet domain.

Please refer to the 2010 event rules for details.

Good Luck!

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