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In a surprising discovery, scientists at Cardiff University have demonstrated that sound waves generated at the bottom of the sea can interfere with the behavior of tsunamis, reducing their strength.
A new study suggests that waves oceanic sounds can be used to reduce the force of Tsunami. The research, published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics, reveals a type of interaction between different waves at sea that could allow the control of the energy of these dangerous formations.
Triad resonance may be key to energy control
The phenomenon described by the researchers is known as triad resonance. It occurs when two sound waves and a surface gravity wave interact in a specific way.
Until now, it was believed that these waves were unrelated, as they move at very different speeds.
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According to Dr. Usama Kadri, lead author of the study and researcher at Cardiff University, the right alignment between the waves allows them to exchange energy.
This could reduce the strength of a tsunami or, in another use, increase the power of waves used for clean energy generation.
Kadri says the process creates a form of “conversation” between the waves, and this energy exchange can be directed.
For him, this represents a physics-based alternative to reducing tsunami energy, something that current approaches, such as physical barriers and warning systems, cannot do directly.
Water depth influences the result
The research also highlights the importance of sea depth in this process. In shallow waters, the transfer of energy between waves is greater.
This aligns with the locations where tsunamis tend to cause the most destruction, which could make it easier to apply the technique in practice.
"Shallow waters dramatically increase energy transfer, aligning with where tsunamis become most destructive”, explained Kadri.
The discovery of a “sweet spot” natural for this type of interaction can simplify the use of technology in real situations, according to the authors.
Ocean energy can benefit
In addition to the issue of tsunamis, scientists also see a future promising for the use of this technique in renewable energy generation.
Currently, technologies for capturing wave energy are still not very efficient, especially in deeper areas.
By amplifying surface waves, it would be possible to make the systems more efficient. The Cardiff team is now looking to prove their theory in a controlled environment.
"Once laboratory validation is achieved, designing full-scale acoustic generators becomes an engineering challenge 'only'”, concluded Dr. Kadri.
