On local probability of invasive tsunami

Abstract

Tsunami occurrence and invasive tsunami at a local area in the circum‐Pacific seismic zone were studied as a Poisson process. The tsunami height at Osaka, Japan, was related to tsunami magnitude. The exceedence frequency of invaded tsunami at Osaka showed a good fitness to the Poisson process. However, an adapted process should be introduced for exceedence frequency of tsunami occurrence in the western Pacific. The exceedence probability of invasive tsunami at Osaka was shown as a function of tsunami magnitude on a diagram with a parameter of the time period. The obtained result might be useful for the planning of coastal area, warning of invasive tsunami, and designing coastal structures as protection within the scope of tsunami economics.     

Probability distribution of the Murty‐Loomis tsunami magnitude

Abstract

In 1980, Murty and Loomis proposed a new, objective tsunami magnitude scale based on total tsunami energy. A list of 178 tsunamigenic earthquakes during the period 1815 to 1974 was given along with estimated tsunami magnitudes. In this study, we derived the probability distribution function of tsunami magnitudes based on the assumptions that (1) the occurrences of tsunamigenic earthquakes are a Poisson process, and (2) tsunami energy is a polynomial function of tsunami recurrence time. Using the data given by Murty and Loomis, the parameters of the distribution function are estimated. Comparison with the data shows that the derived distribution is a good representation of the distribution of the Murty‐Loomis tsunami magnitude.     

2016年全球地震海啸监测预警与数值模拟研究

回顾了国家海洋环境预报中心(国家海洋局海啸预警中心)2016年全球地震海啸监测预警的总体状况, 并基于震源生成模型和海啸传播数值模型的计算结果详细介绍了几次主要海啸事件及其影响特性。2016年全年国家海洋环境预报中心总共对全球6.5级(中国近海5.5级)以上海底地震响应了45次,发布海啸信息81期, 没有发生对我国有明显影响的海啸。结合精细化的数值模拟结果和浮标监测数据,重点介绍了苏门达腊7.8级地震海啸、厄瓜多尔7.8级地震海啸、新西兰7.1级和7.8级地震海啸, 以及所罗门7.8级地震海啸的波动特征和传播规律, 模拟结果与实测海啸波符合较好。针对厄瓜多尔7.8级地震海啸事件, 本文比较分析了均匀断层模型和多源有限断层模型对模拟结果的影响; 针对新西兰7.1级地震海啸, 探讨了色散效应对海啸波在大水深、远距离传播过程的影响规律。     

Relevance of Bathymetry for Tsunami Run‐up Modeling

Abstract

Marine positioning is relevant for several aspects of tsunami research, observation, and prediction. These include accurate positioning of instruments on the ocean bottom for determining the deep‐water signature of the tsunami, seismic observational setups to measure the earthquake parameters, equipment to determine the tsunami characteristics during the propagation phase, and instruments to map the vertical uplift and subsidence that occurs during a dip‐slip earthquake.

In the accurate calculation of coastal tsunami run‐up through numerical models, accurate bathymetry is needed, not only near the coast (for tsunami run‐up) but also in the deep ocean (for tsunami generation and propagation). If the bathymetry is wrong in the source region, errors will accumulate and will render the numerical calculations inaccurate. Without correct and detailed run‐up values on the various coastlines, tsunami prediction for actual events will lead to false alarms and loss of public confidence.     

Registration of tsunamis in the open ocean

Abstract

The small tsunami of February 23, 1980, which originated near the southern part of the Kuril Islands was recorded by the bottom vibrotron sensor installed on the shelf near Shikotan Island and connected to the island observatory by underwater cable. The marigram of the tsunami is given and compared with marigrams obtained at shore tide gauges. Some spectral features of the records are discussed.     

A two‐parameter scheme for tsunami hazard zoning

Abstract

A necessary stage in calculations for prediction purposes is the study of the tsunami recurrence function

which yields mean recurrence of tsunami with maximum wave height not greater than a specified level h. The major problem in using these functions for prediction purposes is the fact that a well‐grounded approximation of empirical data on wave heights is difficult to obtain, because the mathematical model for prediction is an extrapolation of this function for tsunami heights whose recurrence remains uncertain. We shall show that the natural relation of observable tsunamis statistics to extremum statistics leads to the discovery of at least two and possibly three temporal scale intervals with different tsunami modes. It has also been clarified that for the 10 years < T < 10³ years range of time periods, which is the most important one for tsunami wave height prediction purposes, the tsunami recurrence is described by two parameters: frequency A of occurrence of large tsunamis and coefficient k of wave ampliflcation near the shore. As an example, a diagram of tsunami hazard zoning of the eastern Honshu coast has been plotted.     

Tsunami amplitudes from local earthquakes in the pacific northwest region of North America part 1: The outer coast

Abstract

Maximum tsunami amplitudes that will result from major earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest region of North America are considered. The modeled region encompasses the coastlines of British Columbia in Canada, and Washington and Oregon in the United States. Three separate models were developed for the outer coast and one model for the system consisting of the Strait of Georgia, Juan de Fuca Strait, and Puget Sound (GFP model) (Part 2). Three different source areas were considered for the outer coast models and the resulting tsunami was propagated to the entrance of Juan de Fuca Strait. Using the output from the other models, the GFP model was run. The results showed that large tsunami amplitudes can occur on the outer coast, whereas inside the GFP system, unless the earthquake occurs in the system itself, no major tsunami will result (Part 2).     

Positioning requirements for the tsunami warning system

Abstract

Canada has increased the number of tsunami warning stations on the Pacific Coast from two to three. The last gauge was installed at the north end of Vancouver Island, thereby filling a large gap previously existing and providing full coverage along the coast. The record of gauges at two of the three locations is accessible either by telephone or by means of meteor burst communication, alleviating the difficulties experienced during the tsunami threat of May 6, 1986, when telephone communications were disrupted by heavy use. The gauge at Langara Island will be relocated in a more accessible and also a more tsunami‐responsive location at Rennell Sound in the Queen Charlotte Islands. All tsunami gauges also serve as tide gauges, recording the water level every 15 min. In the event of a tsunami, the recording interval can be altered to every 60 s. Suggestions have been made that Canada attempt deep‐sea recording of tsunamis off its Pacific Coast. Although this would be of great scientific value, no such program is contemplated at this time.     

海啸波对近岸岛礁影响的数值模拟研究

基于Okada有限断层模型和非线性浅水波方程,结合高精度嵌套网格建立了越洋（中国近海）-局部-近岸岛礁的海啸生成与传播的数值模型。以三亚凤凰岛为例,首先针对2011日本地震海啸,模拟分析了海啸波沿中国沿海大陆架的传播特征及对凤凰岛的影响规律。在取得验证结果的基础上,进一步讨论了中国近海的马尼拉海沟和琉球海沟的潜在海啸源,以及环太平洋的21个潜在特大越洋海啸对凤凰岛的影响特征。依据海啸波在抵达凤凰岛的波浪特征,结合傅里叶频谱分析方法,探索了近岸岛礁对海啸波的放大效应。结果表明,中国近海一般震级的海啸和特大越洋海啸对凤凰岛存在一定影响,最大波幅接近1 m,传播时间从3 h到27 h不等。受三亚东南半岛的影响,琉球海沟激发的海啸和越洋海啸在凤凰岛的放大效应相对于马尼拉海沟较小,其频率集中在0.8×10-4~2×10-4 Hz。马尼拉海沟产生的海啸波在凤凰岛产生了较为显著的放大效应,对于凤凰岛是值得关注的高风险海啸源。     

A new objective tsunami magnitude scale

Abstract

Tsunami research has suffered considerably due to the lack of an objective magnitude scale. The Imamura‐Iida Grade Scale, although it has been used until now as a magnitude scale, is not objective, and it is more appropriate to call it a tsunami intensity scale. The tsunami magnitude scale proposed by Abe (1979) is also based on coastal tide gauge records, and this is not truly an objective magnitude scale. A new magnitude scale is proposed here, based on total tsunami energy, and it is demonstrated that this new scale will provide an adequate representation of the whole spectrum of tsunamis, starting from the negligible ones and including those that have devastated whole coastlines.     

The reduction effects of mangrove forest on a tsunami based on field surveys at Pakarang Cape,Thailand and numerical analysis

Using an integrated approach including satellite imagery analysis, field measurements, and numerical modeling, we investigated the damage to mangroves caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami at Pakarang Cape in Pang Nga Province, Thailand. Comparing pre- and post-tsunami satellite imagery of the study area, we found that approximately 70% of the mangrove forest was destroyed by the tsunami. Based on field observations, we found that the survival rate of mangroves increased with increasing stem diameter. Specifically, we found that 72% of Rhizophora trees with a 25–30 cm stem diameter survived the tsunami impact, whereas only 19% with a 15–20 cm stem diameter survived. We simulated the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami using the nonlinear shallow-water wave theory to reproduce the tsunami inundation flow and investigated the bending moment acting on the mangrove trees. Results of the numerical model showed that the tsunami inundated areas along the mangrove creeks, and its current velocity reached 5.0 m s⁻¹. Based on the field measurements and numerical results, we proposed a fragility function for mangroves, which is the relationship between the probability of damage and the bending stress caused by the maximum bending moment. We refined the numerical model to include the damage probability of mangrove forests using the obtained fragility function to investigate the tsunami reduction effect of mangrove forest. Under simple numerical conditions related to the mangrove forest, ground level, and incident wave, the model showed that a mangrove forest of Rhizophora sp. with a density of 0.2 trees m⁻² and a stem diameter of 15 cm in a 400 m wide area can reduce the tsunami inundation depth by 30% when the incident wave is assumed to have a 3.0 m inundation depth and a wave period of 30 min at the shoreline. However, 50% of the mangrove forest is destroyed by a 4.5 m tsunami inundation depth, and most of the mangrove forest is destroyed by a tsunami inundation depth greater than 6 m. The reduction effect of tsunami inundation depth decreased when the tsunami inundation depth exceeded 3 m, and was mostly lost when the tsunami inundation depth exceeded 6 m.     

Accuracy of tsunami travel‐time charts

Abstract

The tsunami travel‐time charts that are presently in use by the Tsunami Warning Center were constructed originally in 1948 based on the hydrographic data available in the mid 1940s. Even the revised charts of 1971 made use of essentially the same data. It is shown here that the travel times deduced by these charts could be in error by as much as two hours in some cases. Even worse, the compiled travel times as deduced from these charts are generally greater than the observed travel times, which is a dangerous situation from a tsunami warning point of view.     

Tsunami flooding extension for coastal zones of Mexico

Abstract

Joint probabilities of runup height due to astronomical tides and tsunamis are calculated for five bays on the Pacific Ocean coast of Mexico. Runup heights equaled or exceeded on the average of once per 100 years, and once per 200 years, for those bays, are evaluated. Calculations are based on wave height probabilities obtained from sets of harmonic constituents and tsunami heights recorded during the last 28 years at tidal stations on each location.

Extension of potential tsunami terrestrial flooding for populated coastal zones around those bays can be determined from the previous results. One case is illustrated showing endangered features in the hazardous zones, and recommendations to prevent casualties and property damages are given.     

Contributions expected from marine geodesy to the study of tsunamis in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

In the Mediterranean Sea, tsunamigenic sources may be found in several areas in the belt running from Gibraltar up to the Black Sea, but they are concentrated mainly around Italy and Greece. Most of the sources are located close to the coasts and excite tsunamis reaching the coasts soon after the generation time. Tsunami research and tsunami mitigation programs are only in a very initial stage in the Mediterranean area. The present activities are focused chiefly to tsunami potential evaluation and on tsunami propagation modeling. The establishment of efficient observational networks, centers for data management and services, and systems for issuing tsunami warnings are some of the most urgent needs. In this context, the envisaged contribution of marine geodesy is twofold. First, monitoring of submarine active faults and submarine volcanic areas by means of systems capable of detecting seafloor deformation may contribute in identifying periods in which the probability of tsunami generation increases beyond a threshold value, especially in those tsunamigenic zones where geodetic observations on land are insufficient (for example, eastern Sicily in Italy and the Hellenic Arc in southern Greece). Second, since most of the active sources are close to the coastline, computations of tsunami propagation and run‐up may be significantly enhanced by a better knowledge of the bathymetry of the seabelt facing the coasts.     

Some theoretical approaches to delineate tsunami hazard in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

In the recent seismological literature, several articles appeared which suggested that major earthquakes are likely to occur in the near future, in the various seismic gaps around the rim of the Pacific Basin. Although the direct effects of these earthquakes may be confined to local areas, the tsunamis that will generate are expected to travel Pacific Ocean wide and cause great destruction even at far off places around the Pacific Ocean. Here, the various approaches to delineating the tsunami hazard are discussed and some suggestions are made.     

马尼拉俯冲带潜在地震海啸对华南沿海的影响

马尼拉俯冲带潜在地震海啸对我国南部沿海城市构成巨大威胁,利用情景式数值模拟技术重构灾害过程并评估危险等级有助于理解南海海啸传播规律并指导预警预报和防灾减灾工作。根据美国太平洋海洋环境研究中心(Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, PMEL)发布的马尼拉俯冲带断层参数设计M_w 7.5、M_w 8.1和M_w 8.5三个震级下共19个震源,应用非静压海啸数值模型(Non-hydrostatic Evolution of Ocean WAVE, NEOWAVE)模拟各震源激发海啸在南海海盆的传播过程,通过最大波辐和测点时间序列发现海啸波能量传输分布并评估代表区域危险等级。研究表明, M_w 7.5级地震海啸对我国南部沿海的影响较低,波幅一般不超过30 cm; M_w 8.1级地震海啸对华南沿海主要造成太平洋海啸预警中心定义的Ⅱ或Ⅲ级海啸危险等级,海啸影响范围和能量分布特征由震源位置决定; M_w 8.5级地震海啸主要对中国沿海构...     

On the numerical modeling of tsunami wave generation and propagation

Abstract

In this article three main stages of tsunami wave evolution are investigated. At first, the development of disturbances from a given patched elevation of the bottom surface in an incompressible nonviscous fluid of the uniform depth is considered. Then, a tsunami wave diffraction by underwater bottom elevation or cavity is investigated. In this case the shallow water equations are already used, and it is supposed that a cylindrical wave is spread from patched water elevation over the epicentrum. Last, the tsunami propagation and transformation in a shallow water region and its run‐up on a beach are investigated on the basis of the improved shallow water theory, taking into consideration the nonlinear and dispersive terms of higher order. The proposed theory is tested in a problem of collisions of two solutions. Solutions of the first and the second problems are obtained by the method of integral Laplace's transformation with following numerical inversion of transformations. A finite difference method for a solution of the last problem is used.     

基于数值模拟的渤海海域地震海啸危险性定量化研究

根据地震海啸产生的条件,结合渤海海域的地形特征、地质构造、地震学特征和历史地震及海啸记录对渤海海域潜在的地震海啸进行了数值模拟研究。分析了渤海可能引发地震海啸的震源区域,讨论了渤海发生海啸灾害的可能性。文中通过数值模拟再现了渤海历史上几次规模较大的地震事件可能引发的海啸情景,研究分析了可能的地震海啸在渤海及周边海域的传播过程及波动特征.地震海啸传播模型采用基于四叉树原理的自适应网格加密技术,有效解决了局部分辨率与计算效率之间的矛盾。数值计算包括地震海啸产生及传播过程。利用该模型对渤海潜在的地震海啸进行了数值计算,基于数值计算结果定量阐述了渤海海域潜在地震海啸对渤海局部岸段及北黄海沿岸的影响,给出了渤海可能地震海啸危险性划分;研究结果将为我国海啸危险性分析和海啸预警技术研究工作提供技术支持。     

The Kuril Earthquakes and tsunamis of November 15, 2006, and January 13, 2007: Observations,analysis, and numerical modeling

Major earthquakes occurred in the region of the Central Kuril Islands on November 15, 2006 (M _w = 8.3) and January 13, 2007 (M _w = 8.1). These earthquakes generated strong tsunamis recorded throughout the entire Pacific Ocean. The first was the strongest trans-Pacific tsunami of the past 42 years (since the Alaska tsunami in 1964). The high probability of a strong earthquake (M _w ≥ 8.5) and associated destructive tsunami occurring in this region was predicted earlier. The most probable earthquake source region was investigated and possible scenarios for the tsunami generation were modeled. Investigations of the events that occurred on November 15, 2006, and January 13, 2007, enabled us to estimate the validity of the forecast and compare the parameters of the forecasted and observed earthquakes and tsunamis. In this paper, we discuss the concept of “seismic gaps,” which formed the basis for the forecast of these events, and put forward further assumptions about the expected seismic activity in the region. We investigate the efficiency of the tsunami warning services and estimate the statistical parameters for the observed tsunami waves that struck the Far Eastern coast of Russia and Northern Japan. The propagation and transformation of the 2006 and 2007 tsunamis are studied using numerical hydrodynamic modeling. The spatial characteristics of the two events are compared.     

精细化地震海啸波流实时预警系统研究与应用

基于Okada模型和非线性浅水波模型,结合高精度多层嵌套网格针对我国浙江沿海的温州和台州地区建立了越洋–近海–局部的精细化地震海啸波流实时预警系统,近岸的分辨率为900 m。该预警系统包括了并行化的数值计算模块,基于Python 2D绘图库的计算结果可视化处理模块,以及通过Python语言将所有经过数值计算的图形与动画产品集成在一个网页上的产品集成模块。一旦地震发生,该系统可根据地震的震源参数信息在10 min内完成数值计算、可视化处理,以及产品集成。选取2011年日本东北9.0级地震海啸结合实测数值对该系统进行模拟验证,进一步应用该系统模拟计算了日本南海海槽和琉球海沟潜在极端海啸的影响规律。结果表明,该预警系统可有效地提高地震海啸实时预警的时效性和准确度,为海啸的预警、减灾,以及辅助决策提供科学依据。