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Estimation of Tsunami Source and Numerical Simulation for 2010 Chilean Tsunami

Publication year Port and Airport Research Institute Technical Note 1228 2011.03
Author(s) Daisuke TATSUMI,Takashi TOMITA
Department
/Divison
Asia-Pacific Center for Coastal Disaster Research (APaC-CDR) Asia-Pacific Center for Coastal Disaster Research (APaC-CDR)
Executive Summary

The present study aims to estimate the tsunami source of 2010 Chilean Tsunami by the tsunami waveform inversion. The tsunami profiles observed at GPS Buoys, DART Buoys, and the tidal stations along Chilean coast are inputted into the inversion method. The main results of the tsunami waveform inversion are described as follows:
1)The numerical simulation results based on the tsunami sources estimated by the seismic waveform inversion show that the calculated tsunamis arrive at GPS Buoys, DART Buoys, and the tidal stations at the north of the epicenter earlier than the observed tsunami. On the contrary, the calculated tsunamis arrive at the tidal stations at the south of the epicenter later.
2)The tsunami source estimated by the tsunami waveform inversion is located closer to the South American continent and expanded more southward than that by the seismic waveform inversion. The numerical simulation results based on the tsunami source estimated by the tsunami waveform inversion show good agreements with the observed tsunami profiles.
 Moreover, the tsunami numerical simulation using the estimated tsunami source and STOC (Storm surge and Tsunami Simulator in Oceans and Coastal Areas) is conducted. As for the propagation characteristics of 2010 Chilean Tsunami, the numerical simulation results indicate that the tsunami height is large in the area directed perpendicular to the fault line. In addition, edge waves are generated along the Pacific coast of Japan from two to three hours after the tsunami arrival.

PDF File /en/pdf/en/no1228.pdf