Tsunami inundation maps for Adak and Atka, Alaska

Description

We evaluate potential tsunami hazards for Adak and Atka by numerically modeling tsunami inundation generated by earthquakes along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone. Hypothetical worst-case scenarios are defined by analyzing tsunami dynamics related to various plausible earthquake slip distributions. Potential tsunami sources include megathrust earthquakes in the area of the Andreanof Islands, the Alaska Peninsula, and the Cascadia subduction zone. We consider scenarios similar to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan with maximum slip located on a shallow portion of the plate interface close to the seafloor trench. The maximum modeled tsunami wave height is 10-15 m (33-50 ft) in both Adak and Atka. The numerical simulations reveal that for some scenarios, the first wave could reach Adak and Atka as soon as 15 and 30 minutes after the earthquake, respectively. Significant wave activity could continue for more than 12 hours after the earthquake, and the predicted average time interval between successive waves is 45 minutes to 1 hour. Results presented here are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management agencies for tsunami inundation assessment, evacuation planning, and public education to mitigate future tsunami hazards. The complete report and digital data are available from the DGGS website: http://doi.org/10.14509/30186.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
0 CSDGM IMPORT ERROR: No digtinfo/formcont http://doi.org/10.14509/30186
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/30186
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/29674
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/29706
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/29565
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/29704
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/30193
0 http://doi.org/10.14509/30192

Tags

  • topography
  • coastal and river
  • engineering
  • seismic hazards
  • aleutian islands
  • inundation
  • tectonics
  • marine geology
  • modeling
  • bathymetry
  • faults
  • geologic
  • environmental
  • engineering geology
  • geology
  • coastal
  • faulting
  • earthquake
  • flood
  • atka
  • fault displacement
  • geotechnical
  • neotectonics
  • adak
  • geological process
  • hazards
  • emergency preparedness
  • surface
  • tsunami
  • geologic hazards
  • tides

Topics

  • Local Government

Categories