Tsunami inundation maps of Sitka, Alaska

The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential tsunami hazards for the community of Sitka. We numerically modeled the extent of inundation from tsunami waves generated by near- and far-field tectonic sources. We performed numerical modeling of historic events at Sitka, such as the tsunami triggered by the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, and the tsunami waves generated by the recent 2011 Tohoku and 2012 Haida Gwaii earthquakes. Hypothetical tsunami scenarios include variations of the extended 1964 rupture, megathrust earthquakes in the Alaska Peninsula region and in the Cascadia subduction zone, and a thrust earthquake in the region of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone. Results of numerical modeling combined with historical observations in the region are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management in tsunami hazard assessment, evacuation planning, and public education for the reduction of future tsunami risk.