Resumen

Nuestro proyecto investiga la relación entre los volcanes submarinos y los tsunamis, centrándonos en cómo las erupciones volcánicas bajo el agua pueden generar olas grandes que afectan a las comunidades costeras. 

Además, exploramos la posibilidad de aprovechar ese movimiento de olas para la generación de energía undimotriz. 

Al entender la relación entre estos fenómenos naturales y la energía renovable, estamos trabajando en una solución innovadora que podría beneficiar tanto a la sociedad, como al medio ambiente. 

Nuestro proyecto demuestra la importancia de la investigación científica y la búsqueda de soluciones sostenibles para enfrentar los desafíos energéticos actuales. 

Pregunta de Investigación

Planteamiento del Problema

We’re exploring how underwater volcanoes can cause big waves, called tsunamis, to understand why this happens and how we can stay safe. After working on this project, we locked into how waves can make energy from them. We think this is a great chance for our country because México gets more than 80% of it energy from fossil fuels 

Also, Mexico is the 11th largest country in the world for greenhouse gas emissions. 

This shows that we really need to find new ways to get energy that are better for the environment, like using wave energy. 

Antecedentes

VOLCANIC ERUPTION: 

A volcanic eruption is when a volcano on the bottom of the ocean gets really hot and throws out hot gasses, rocks, and melted rock called lava. Sometimes, this happens underwater, and even though the water gets really hot, it doesn’t turn into steam right away. But if the water is not too deep, the lava can heat it up so much that a lot of steam comes out on the surface of the water, and there can be a big explosion! 

MOVING TECTONIC PLATES: 

When volcanoes erupt underwater, it usually happens in places where the ground under the ocean, called tectonic plates, are moving apart from each other. These places are called rift zones, and they’re found in big ocean areas where the Earth’s surface is spreading apart. 

TSUNAMI GENERATION: 

Different kinds of volcanic activities can push a lot of water around and make really big waves called tsunamis. Sometimes, when volcanoes explode, they send out mixtures of rocks, gasses, and ash called pyroclastic flows. These can make the water move and create huge waves that crash onto shores and cause a lot of damage. 

UNDIMOTRIZ ENERGY: 

Refers to the energy generated from ocean waves. It harnesses the movement of surface waves to produce electricity. This form of renewable energy captures the kinetic energy of waves, converting it into usable power through various technologies. 

FARADAY’S LAW 

Discovered by Michael Faraday, this principle highlights the dynamic relationship between magnetism and electricity. 

When the magnetic field around a conductor changes, it produces an electromotive force (EMF) that drives an electric current. 

This phenomenon is fundamental to the operation of generators, transformers and various electrical devices. 

 DVANTAGES OF WAVE ENERGY: 

It is a concentrated, predictable resource, close to large consumers and with high availability. 

Waves can travel long distances without losing energy. 

It is a clean energythat does not emit polluting gases into atmosphere. 

Denmark, Norway, Holland are leaders in the use oh wave energy, in Mexico, in the Ensenada area, the CFE has been developing a system of energy generation modules since 2012. 

Objetivo

Build a model that simulates an underwater volcano, the movement of tectonic plates, and the generation of tsunami-type waves. Additionally, demonstrate how these waves can be harnessed to generate renewable energy using wave buoys. 

Justificación

We are learning about volcanoes and how tsunamis are generated because it is important for people who live near the ocean to know how to stay safe if we ever face one. 

After developing this project for our school’s science fair, we understood that energy is naturally transformed. This sparked our curiosity to investigate how we can harness wave energy for the benefit of society, just as we harness the power of air, water in dams, or solar energy. 

It’s like being a scientist exploring the mysteries of the ocean while helping keep our communities safe!  

Hipótesis

When a submarine volcano erupts underwater, it can make big waves called tsunamis. We believe this happens because the hot lava and gasses from the volcano push the water around and create waves. By doing our research, we hope to learn more about how submarine volcanoes and tsunamis are connected and how we can stay safe if we ever encounter one. 

We also think that the energy generated by a tsunami can be used as renewable energy. 

Método (materiales y procedimiento)

Material, equipment and substances 

• Cardboard 

• Glue 

• Paper 

• A base of polyurethane 

• Paint 

• Little stones 

• LED lights 

• Acrylic 

• Water 

• Polyurethane layers 

• Wood 

• Sand 

• Vaporizer 

• Magnets 

• Copper wire 

• Stick 

• Plastic tube 

• Styrofoam ball 

• Voltmeter 

Procedure 

1. We built a volcano using plastic, polyurethane foam, paint, water vapor and with red light simulated the eruption of a volcano.  

1. Then we simulated the layers of the Earth’s crust with tectonic plates and their movement, which generates a motion in the water that becomes a tsunami reaching the coasts. We use materials such as a tile, plastic, paint, glue, and water. Additionally, we used another piece of plastic to push the water, creating a wave. 

Galería Método

Resultados

We made an electric generator by: 

1. Making a coil, wrapping tightly copper wire around a tube around 100 times. 

1. Putting together strong neodymium magnets inside a tube. 

1. Attaching the magnet assembly with a stick and a floating ball. 

1. Connecting the ends of the copper wire to the multimeter. 

1. Once all assembled, the magnets are placed inside the coil, allowing vertical movement. This motion inside the coil will generate electricity which the multimeter can measure. 

Galería Resultados

Discusión

Data Analysis 

• Frequency of Underwater Volcanic Eruptions: 

Data Source: Historical records of underwater volcanic eruptions. 

Findings: 119 submarine volcanoes in Earth’s oceans and seas are known to have erupted during the last 11,700 years. These eruptions are concentrated in specific rift zones, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Pacific Ring of Fire. 

• Tsunami Occurrences Linked to Volcanic Activity: 

Data Source: Tsunami databases. 

Findings: Underwater earthquakes are the most common cause of tsunamis. Volcanic eruptions can generate powerful tsunami waves, as occurred in the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in 1883, which produced gigantic waves that reached heights of 40 meters above sea level. 

• Impact on Coastal Communities: 

Data Source: Case studies and impact assessments. 

Findings: Nearly a billion people live in the “Ring of Fire” and many of them have ancestral ties to that land dating back thousands of years. Historical data shows that tsunamis can cause extensive damage to infrastructure and loss of life. 

• Potential for Wave Energy Generation: 

Data Source: Wave energy potential studies. 

Findings: It is estimated that for every meter of wave height, between 20 and 40 kW can be obtained. This energy can be captured using wave buoys and converted into clean, renewable power. 

Conclusiones

The movement of tectonic plates leads to the formation of underwater volcanoes, which can potentially generate tsunamis if the eruptions are significant. However, not all underwater volcanic eruptions result in tsunamis; more commonly, tsunamis are generated by earthquakes. 

Our project highlights the significant relationship between underwater volcanic eruptions and the generation of tsunamis. By understanding this relationship, we can better prepare and protect coastal communities from the devastating impacts of these natural disasters. Additionally, our exploration into wave energy generation presents a promising avenue for harnessing the power of the ocean to produce renewable energy. 

The data analysis shows that while underwater volcanic eruptions are relatively infrequent, their potential to generate tsunamis poses a considerable risk to nearby coastal areas. However, this same energy can be redirected towards beneficial uses, such as generating clean electricity. This dual approach of disaster preparedness and renewable energy generation underscores the importance of scientific research and innovation in addressing contemporary challenges. 

Our findings advocate for increased investment in monitoring underwater volcanic activity and developing wave energy technologies. By doing so, we can enhance the safety of coastal communities and contribute to the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. 

Bibliografía

Rosales Romero, F. (2012). El modelamiento del movimiento de las placas tectónicas: una propuesta para el aula. 

VParis R. (2015) Source mechanisms of volcanic tsunamis. Phil Trans. R. Soc A 373:20140380 

Embley, R., and Chadwick Jr., (1994 March 10). Volcanic and hydrothermal process associated with a recent phase of seafloor spreading at the northern cleft segment: Juan de Fuca Ridge. 

Servicio Hidrográfico y Oceanográfico de la armada de Chile. (2024). Tsunami. Las grandes olas. 

López Giler, J.B. y Casquete Baidal, C.S. (2011) ¿Qué es lo que pasó con el volcán de la palma? explicación desde la geología. E-IDEA journal of engineering Science, 3(6) 58-75.  

Serra, L. (2024, 28 de febrero). Transición energética en México: ¿la oportunidad perdida? Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. 

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Tsunami. En Wikipedia. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami 

National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Geology deep. National Geographic Education. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geology-deep/ 

Fundación Aquae. (n.d.). ¿Qué son los tsunamis? Fundación Aquae. https://www.fundacionaquae.org/wiki/que-son-los-tsunamis/amp/ 

Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía (IDAE). (n.d.). Energías del mar. https://www.idae.es/tecnologias/energias-renovables/uso-electrico/energias-del-mar#:~:text=Energ%C3%ADa%20de%20las%20olas%20o,superficie%20del%20agua%20del%20mar 

Perfil energético: México (2022, 3 de octubre).GEM.https://www.gem.wiki/Perfil_energético:_México. 

Pérez Ávila.A .F.,y Nava Torres, S. (2023). Estudio de la generación de energía eléctrica por medio de energía undimotriz en la zona de la quebrada ubicada en Acapulco Guerrero. Ciudad de México.  

Summary

Research Question

Problem approach

Background

Objective

Justification

Hypothesis

Method (materials and procedure)

Method Gallery

Results

Results Gallery

Discussion

Conclusions

Bibliography