Using Acoustic-Gravity Waves To Dissipate Tsunami May Potentially Save Live and Billions Of Pound Worth Of Damage

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Who would have ever thought that soundwaves can really break its barriers in dissipating huge waves like tsunamis? A new study conducted using acoustic-gravity waves found to be a solution to breakdown large waves, reducing its height to minimize damage to both human life and to the environment.

In the statement of Dr. Usama Kadri from Cardif University Schools of Mathematics in Phys.org, he believes that in using acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) against tsunamis may ultimately and potentially save human lives and the environment. He proposes that finding ways to engineer these waves may prevent tsunami. The waves, when fired, will react to the incoming tsunami in such a way that it will reduce tsunami's amplitude or height and causes its energy to be dissipated in over a large area.

Acoustic-gravity waves are naturally occurring sound waves that move through the deep ocean at the speed of sound and can travel thousands of meters below the surface. It can measure tens or hundreds of kilometers in length. These waves are also known to help certain oceanic lifeforms like planktons for  aiding their movements and enhancing their ability to find food.

Per Daily Mail, tsunamis like the devastating event in Fukushima last 2011 that has triggered by a violent geological event, including earthquakes and landslides may be prevented from devastating the people from the shorelines using acoustic-gravity waves. Usama Kadri explains that to wipe out the incoming tsunami, the acoustic-gravity waves should be shot directly to it, spreading its energy over a large area. Kadri also believes the acoustic-gravity waves must be repeatedly and continuously fired at the tsunami until it will be completely dispersed.

Kadri said, "within the last two decades, tsunamis have been responsible for the loss of almost half a million lives, widespread long-lasting destruction, profound environment effects and global financial crisis." He also added that "up until now, little attention has been paid to trying to mitigate the effects of the tsunamis and the potential of acoustic-gravity waves remains largely unexplored."

The energy that are being released from the earthquake and subsequently to the tsunami is estimated to be the equivalent of over 1,500 times of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The tsunami happened in 2004 in Indian Ocean after a magnitude earthquake has been recorded as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent history that caused the lives of 230,000 in 14 different countries.

Utilizing the acoustic-gravity waves take more than just a simple process. Engineers will firstly need to devise highly accurate wave frequency transmitters or modulators. It may be also possible to make use of the acoustic-gravity wave generated in the ocean during a geological event, like earthquake, against tsunami. Moreover, acoustic-gravity wave detection system can also be used by placing it in the deep ocean.

Indeed, there are a lot of challenges for generating appropriate acoustic-gravity wave. High energy wave is required for an effective interaction with a tsunami as Usama Kardi explains. But, the study has provided proof-of-concept that devastating tsunamis could be mitigated by using acoustic-gravity waves to redistribute huge amount of energy stored within the wave and save thousands of lives and billions of worth of damage.