Spectral Characterisation of Tsunamis and Seiches Caused by Tectonism and Volcanism in Rabaul,Papua New Guinea

Tsunamis originating in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea can be locally devastating and also occasionally threaten coastal areas of northern Australia. Tsunamis may be caused by earthquakes, volcanoes or submarine landslides. In Rabaul a unique set of records exists of tsunamis and seiches generated by tectonic earthquakes, volcanic earthquakes and a volcanic eruption. Spectral analysis of the digitised waveforms has been undertaken to compare the effects of the different sources and to estimate the characteristic natural periods of Rabaul Harbour. Seiches in Rabaul Harbourhave dominant periods of 20 to 30 min, a period band that is also typical for coastal recordings of tsunamis.