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At impact with water, the velocity and thickness of a landslide are the key factors that govern momentum transfer and wave generation. These properties are not only a function of the size of the slide, but also a function of the landslide material, grain size, pore fluid, and other rheological parameters. The objective of this study is to determine the amplitude of waves generated from realistic landslides composed of both granular material and pore fluid in comparison with the waves generated by end-member landslides composed of only dry granular material or only fluid. To achieve this, laboratory experiments are conducted in a large-scale landslide flume and observations are collected using high-speed digital cameras and wave probes. Different source materials consisting of dry granular material, saturated granular material, and water are released down the landslide slope into the reservoir to generate impulse waves. The waves are analyzed to determine the amplitude and shape, and the effective time and length scales over which each landslide generates a wave. The observations are used to develop a mobility factor for all three landslide types based on the linear relationship between the length of forcing and the time of wave release. The measurements are compared to a predictive momentum-based relationship, and a modified equation is developed to account for the bulk mobility of the landslide. The improved equation can be applied to predict the maximum wave amplitude generated by a wide range of conditions for realistic landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We present an overview of tsunami occurrences based on an analysis of a global database of tsunamis for the period 1900–2020. We evaluate the geographic and statistical distribution of various tsunami source mechanisms, high-fatality tsunamis, maximum water heights (MWHs) of tsunamis, and possible biases in the observation and recording of tsunami events. We enhance a global statistical overview with case studies from Indonesia, where tsunamis are generated from a diverse range of sources, including subduction zones, crustal faults, landslides, and volcanic islands. While 80% of global recorded tsunamis during 1900–2020 have been attributed to earthquake sources, the median MWH of earthquake tsunamis is just 0.4 m. In contrast, the median water height of landslide tsunamis is 4 m. Landslides have caused or contributed to 24% of fatal tsunamis. During 1900–2020, more tsunamis with water heights > 1 m occurred in Indonesia than in any other country. In this region fatal tsunamis are caused by subduction zone earthquakes, landslides, volcanos, and intraplate crustal earthquakes. Landslide and volcano tsunami sources, as well as coastal landforms such as narrow embayments have caused high local maximum water heights and numerous fatalities in Indonesia. Tsunami hazards are increased in this region due to the densely populated and extensive coastal zones, as well as sea level rise from polar ice melt and local subsidence. Interrelated and often extreme natural hazards in this region present both an opportunity and a need to better understand a broader range of tsunami processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superstructure of a coastal bridge is prone to overturn or unseating under a catastrophic tsunami, which seriously affects the post-disaster emergency rescue. In this paper, we establish a safety assessment framework for the superstructure of a bridge with a box girder under a potential landslide tsunami, and apply it to an in-service box girder and Baiyun Slide Complex on the southeast coast of China. First, a meshless numerical approach called Tsunami Squares (TS) is used to predict the movement of landslides and tsunamis. Additionally, we introduce the velocity-weakening basal friction effect in the model to optimize the landslide dynamics. Second, the maximum lateral and vertical wave loads on a box girder can be estimated using the time series of the wave height and velocity in the TS model. Third, we construct a safety evaluation method for the superstructure using the reaction of the bearing as the critical index. The results indicate that the framework developed here provides instructive guidance for evaluating the safety of coastal bridge superstructures during tsunami disasters, and we discuss the influence of the basal friction effect, bridge elevation, and support type on the structural safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Advances in Earth Science (1001-8166) is the property of Advances in Earth Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Generally, tsunamis are generated by the rapid crustal movements of the ocean floor. Other factors of tsunami generation include landslides on coastal and ocean floor slopes, glacier collapses, and meteorite collisions. In this study, two numerical analyses were conducted to examine the formation, propagation, and deformation properties of landslide tsunamis. First, LS-DYNA was adopted to simulate the formation and propagation processes of tsunamis generated by dropping rigid bodies. The generated tsunamis had smaller wave heights and wider waveforms during their propagation, and their waveforms and flow velocities resembled those of theoretical solitary waves after a certain distance. Second, after the formation of the landslide tsunami, a tsunami based on the solitary wave approximation theory was generated in a numerical wave tank (NWT) with a computational domain that considered the stability/steady phase. The comparison of two numerical analysis results over a certain distance indicated that the waveform and flow velocity were approximately equal, and the maximum wave pressures acting on the upright wall also exhibited similar distributions. Therefore, an effective numerical model such as LS-DYNA was necessary to analyze the formation and initial deformations of the landslide tsunami, while an NWT with the wave generation method based on the solitary wave approximation theory was sufficient above a certain distance.

Depth-integrated wave models are widely used for simulating large-scale propagation of landslide tsunamis, with the generation of tsunami being simulated separately by various generation models to provide the required initial conditions. For a given problem, the selection of a proper tsunami generation model is an important aspect for tsunami hazard analysis. The generation of tsunamis by submarine or subaerial landslides is a transient multiphase process which involves important fine-scale physics. Depth-integrated generation models, while relatively easy to use, cannot simulate these fine-scale physics. Depth-resolved generation models can overcome the shortcomings of depth-integrated generation models but are computationally demanding. This paper first reviews existing depth-integrated generation models to show the need for depth-resolved generation models. Four classes of depth-resolved generation models are reviewed: computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models, approaches coupling CFD and discrete element method, multiphase flow models, and meshless particle models. Multiphase flow models, which are relatively new, can consider complex interactions between landslide materials and its surrounding fluids. Meshless particle models are appealing for simulating landslide tsunamis because of their convenience to deal with the violent motion of the water surface and ability to run on graphics processing units. The main strengths, weaknesses, and future research directions of the reviewed models are briefly discussed. The literature reviewed, which is by no means complete, aims to provide researchers updated and practical guidelines on numerical modeling techniques for simulating the generation process of landslide tsunamis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide-induced tsunami is a complex fluid–solid coupling process that plays a crucial role in the study of a disaster chain. To simulate the coupling behaviors between the fluid and solid, a graphics processing unit-based coupled smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH)-discrete element method (DEM) code is developed. A series of numerical tests, which are based on the laboratory test by Koshizuka et al. (Particle method for calculating splashing of incompressible viscous fluid, 1995) and Kleefsman et al. (J Comput Phys 206:363–393, 2005), are carried out to study the influence of the parameters, and to verify the accuracy of the developed SPH code. To ensure accurate results of the SPH simulation, the values for the diffusion term, particle resolution (1/25 characteristic length), and smoothing length (1.2 times of particle interval) are suggested. The ratio of the SPH particle size and the DEM particle's diameter influences the accuracy of the coupling simulation between solid particles and water. For the coupling simulation of a single particle or a loose particle assembly (not contact each other) with fluid, this ratio should be smaller than 1/20; for a dense particle assembly, a ratio of smaller than 1/6 will be good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superstructure of a coastal bridge is prone to overturn or unseating under a catastrophic tsunami, which seriously affects the post-disaster emergency rescue. In this paper, we establish a safety assessment framework for the superstructure of a bridge with a box girder under a potential landslide tsunami, and apply it to an in-service box girder and Baiyun Slide Complex on the southeast coast of China. First, a meshless numerical approach called Tsunami Squares (TS) is used to predict the movement of landslides and tsunamis. Additionally, we introduce the velocity-weakening basal friction effect in the model to optimize the landslide dynamics. Second, the maximum lateral and vertical wave loads on a box girder can be estimated using the time series of the wave height and velocity in the TS model. Third, we construct a safety evaluation method for the superstructure using the reaction of the bearing as the critical index. The results indicate that the framework developed here provides instructive guidance for evaluating the safety of coastal bridge superstructures during tsunami disasters, and we discuss the influence of the basal friction effect, bridge elevation, and support type on the structural safety.

Abstract On 28 September 2018, a strike‐slip earthquake occurred in Palu, Indonesia, and was followed by a series of tsunami waves that devastated the coast of Palu Bay. The tsunami was recorded at the Pantoloan tide gauge station with a peak amplitude of ~2 m above the water level and struck at high tide. We use the Pantoloan tsunami waveform and synthetic aperture rada displacement data in a joint inversion to estimate the vertical displacement around the narrow bay. Our inversion result suggests that the middle of the bay was uplifted up to 0.8 m, while the other parts of the bay subsided by up to 1 m. However, this seafloor displacement model alone cannot fully explain the observed tsunami inundation. The observed tsunami inundation heights and extents could be reproduced by a tsunami inundation simulation with a source model that combined the estimated vertical displacement with multiple subaerial‐submarine landslides.

Landslides falling into water can trigger tsunamis, which are particularly destructive in the proximity of the landslide impact and in narrow water bodies. The energy transfer mechanism between landslide and water wave is complex, but its understanding is of fundamental importance for the numerical modeling which aims to predict the induced wave hazard. In order to study the involved physical processes, we set up an experimental facility consisting of a landslide generator releasing gravel at high speed in a wave basin. With the aim of estimating the landslide–wave energy transfer, we implemented a simplified 1D conceptual model of landslide motion, including the 3D landslide deformations. We optimized the model with the experimental results. The model results explain that the deformable landslide has an average drag coefficient of 1.26 and a relatively inefficient energy transfer from landslide to wave. Of the landslide energy at impact, the 52% is dissipated by Coulomb basal friction between the slide and the water basin bottom, 42% is dissipated by other processes, including turbulence, and only the remaining 6% is transferred to the wave thus formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mw 7.5 earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on September 28, 2018, was rapidly followed by coastal landslides and destructive tsunami waves within Palu Bay. Here, we present new tsunami modeling that supports a dual source mechanism from the supershear strike-slip earthquake and coastal landslides. Up until now the tsunami mechanism: earthquake, coastal landslides, or a combination of both, has remained controversial, because published research has been inconclusive; with some studies explaining most observations from the earthquake and others the landslides. Major challenges are the numerous different earthquake source models used in tsunami modeling, and that landslide mechanisms have been hypothetical. Here, we simulate tsunami generation using three published earthquake models, alone and in combination with seven coastal landslides identified in earlier work and confirmed by field and bathymetric evidence which, from video evidence, produced significant waves. To generate and propagate the tsunamis, we use a combination of two wave models, the 3D non-hydrostatic model NHWAVE and the 2D Boussinesq model FUNWAVE-TVD. Both models are nonlinear and address the physics of wave frequency dispersion critical in modeling tsunamis from landslides, which here, in NHWAVE are modeled as granular material. Our combined, earthquake and coastal landslide, simulations recreate all observed tsunami runups, except those in the southeast of Palu Bay where they were most elevated (10.5 m), as well as observations made in video recordings and at the Pantoloan Port tide gauge located within Palu Bay. With regard to the timing of tsunami impact on the coast, results from the dual landslide/earthquake sources, particularly those using the supershear earthquake models are in good agreement with reconstructed time series at most locations. Our new work shows that an additional tsunami mechanism is also necessary to explain the elevated tsunami observations in the southeast of Palu Bay. Using partial information from bathymetric surveys in this area we show that an additional, submarine landslide here, when simulated with the other coastal slides, and the supershear earthquake mechanism better explains the observations. This supports the need for future marine geology work in this area.

The September 28 2018 Palu tsunami surprised the scientific community, as neither the earthquake magnitude nor its strike-slip mechanism were deemed capable of producing the wave heights that were observed. However, recent research has shown that the earthquake generated several landslides inside Palu bay. The authors conducted a post-disaster field survey of the area affected to collect spatial data on tsunami inundation heights, nearshore and bay bathymetry, and carried out eyewitness interviews to collect testimonies of the event. In addition, numerical simulations of the tsunami generation and propagation mechanisms were carried out and validated with the inferred time series. Seven small submarine landslides were identified along the western shore of the bay, and one large one was reported on the eastern shore of Palu City. Most of these landslides occurred at river mouths and reclamation areas, where soft submarine sediments had accumulated. The numerical simulations support a scenario in which the tsunami waves that arrived at Palu city 4–10 min after the earthquake were caused by the co-seismic seafloor deformation, possibly coupled with secondary waves generated from several submarine landslides. These findings suggest that more comprehensive methodologies and tools need to be used when assessing probabilistic tsunami hazards in narrow bays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Mediterranean Basin (EMB) is under the threat of tsunami events triggered by various causes including earthquakes and landslides. We propose a deployment of Offshore Bottom Pressure Gauges (OBPGs) around Crete Island, which would enable tsunami early warning by data assimilation for disaster mitigation. Our OBPG network consists of 12 gauges distributed around Crete Island, with a 100‐km interval, based on three criteria to select the locations. The station network must have a good azimuthal coverage and have enough (>50 km) distance from the coast, and the OBPGs are placed at the locations where the most energetic wave dynamics occur, which is confirmed by Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of pre‐calculated tsunami scenarios. We demonstrate three test cases comprising a hypothetical seismogenic tsunami in east Sicily, a hypothetical landslide tsunami in the Aegean Sea, and the real tsunami event of the May 2020 off the Crete earthquake. Our designed OBPG network achieves an accuracy of 88.5% for the hypothetical seismogenic tsunami and 87.3% for the hypothetical landslide tsunami with regard to the forecasting of first tsunami peak. For the real event of May 2020, it predicts the tsunami arrival at tide gauge NOA‐04 accurately; the observed and forecasted amplitudes of the first wave are 5.0 cm and 4.5 cm, respectively. The warning lead time for the May 2020 event was ~10 min. Therefore, our results reveal that the assimilation of OBPG data can satisfactorily forecast the amplitudes and arrival times for tsunamis in the EMB. Key Points: A tsunami warning system is proposed for Crete Island, Greece, based on Offshore Bottom Pressure Gauges and data assimilationThe designed system achieves a high accuracy in forecasting the arrival time and amplitude for tsunamis in the Eastern Mediterranean BasinThe designed system successfully forecasts the recent real tsunami of the 2 May 2020 off Crete Island, Greece [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed three solutions with different degrees of dispersion for an idealized model where the landslide moves along a flat bottom; this was to elucidate the effects of landslide acceleration on the dispersive property of the generated water waves. Both free surface elevations and velocity profiles are obtained with their integral forms for the three solutions. Based on the derivations of the solutions, it is found theoretically that landslide acceleration can cause the generated water waves to be dispersive. Numerical integrations are carried out by using the extended trapezoidal rule and the solutions are validated by comparison with the available experimental results. Case studies are carried out by the three models, and the results show that the amplitude of water waves increases with the increase in landslide acceleration. Evident dispersive effects caused by the landslide acceleration can be found, especially with the increase in water depth. This confirms the theoretical findings in this study. In addition, the wide range of applications of these three solutions are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eruption and collapse of the Anak Krakatau volcano generated tsunamis in the Sunda Strait on December 22, 2018, leading to damage and casualties. In this paper, we use the two-layer model and nonlinear shallow equation model to study the triggering mechanism of the tsunami event. We first simulate the tsunami generated by volcano eruption and landslide, respectively. The tsunami source is analyzed by comparing with gauge measurements. It indicates that the volume of partial collapse for the landslide is 0.2–0.3 km3. The comparison between the numerical results of landslide and tide gauge measurements presents well-fitted results, especially for the leading tsunami waves and arrival time. Computed maximum tsunami amplitude distribution points out that the most hazardous area is located at the south of the Sunda Strait (Pandeglang), which suffered the most casualties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides falling into water bodies can generate destructive waves, which can be classified as tsunamis. An experimental facility to study this phenomenon has been set up. It consists of a landslide generator releasing gravel at high-speed into a wave basin. A non-intrusive system has been designed ad-hoc to be able to measure the high velocity and the geometry of the landslide as well as the generated waves characteristics. The measurement system employs the treatment of images captured by a high-speed camera which records the launched granular material illuminated by a laser sheet. A grid of laser sheets marks the basin water surface. The water has been filled by a small amount of kaolin to properly reflect the laser light at water surface. Thus, by filming with high definition cameras the perturbed water surface and successively processing the resulting images, it has been possible to measure the generated waves. The measurement framework employs a versatile camera calibration technique which allows accurate measurements in presence of: (1) high lens distortions; (2) pronounced non-parallelism condition between camera sensor and plane of measurement coincident with the laser sheet. The maximum resolution of the measurement tool is 0.01 mm, while the maximum uncertainty due to systematic error has been estimated to be 15% for the worst-case scenario. This work improves the suitability of image-based measuring systems in granular flows and free surface hydraulics experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2018 Palu tsunami contributed significantly to the devastation caused by the associated MW 7.5 earthquake. This began a debate about how the moderate size earthquake triggered such a large tsunami within Palu Bay, with runups of more than 10 m. The possibility of a large component of vertical coseismic deformation and submarine landslides have been considered as potential explanations. However, scarce instrumental data have made it difficult to resolve the potential contributions from either type of source. We use tsunami waveforms derived from social media videos in Palu Bay to model the possible sources of the tsunami. We invert InSAR data with different fault geometries and use the resulting seafloor displacements to simulate tsunamis. The coseismic sources alone cannot match both the video‐derived time histories and surveyed runups. Then we conduct a tsunami source inversion using the video‐derived time histories and a tide gauge record as inputs. We specify hypothetical landslide locations and solve for initial tsunami elevation. Our results, validated with surveyed runups, show that a limited number of landslides in southern Palu Bay are sufficient to explain the tsunami data. The Palu tsunami highlights the difficulty in accurately capturing with tide gauges the amplitude and timing of short period waves that can have large impacts at the coast. The proximity of landslides to locations of high fault slip also suggests that tsunami hazard assessment in strike‐slip environments should include triggered landslides, especially for locations where the coastline morphology is strongly linked to fault geometry. Key Points: Video‐derived sea level time histories are critical to accurately model the inundation and to identify the dominant tsunami sources in PaluEarthquake source modeling using InSAR data shows that coseismic deformation played only a minor role in generating the 2018 Palu tsunamiTsunami inversions using video‐derived time histories show that a few landslides in Palu Bay were the major contributors to the tsunami [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 28 September 2018, a strike‐slip earthquake occurred in Palu, Indonesia, and was followed by a series of tsunami waves that devastated the coast of Palu Bay. The tsunami was recorded at the Pantoloan tide gauge station with a peak amplitude of ~2 m above the water level and struck at high tide. We use the Pantoloan tsunami waveform and synthetic aperture rada displacement data in a joint inversion to estimate the vertical displacement around the narrow bay. Our inversion result suggests that the middle of the bay was uplifted up to 0.8 m, while the other parts of the bay subsided by up to 1 m. However, this seafloor displacement model alone cannot fully explain the observed tsunami inundation. The observed tsunami inundation heights and extents could be reproduced by a tsunami inundation simulation with a source model that combined the estimated vertical displacement with multiple subaerial‐submarine landslides. Plain Language Summary: The tsunami that devastated Palu and other coastal towns inside Palu Bay on 28 September 2018 was recorded at a sea level monitoring station in Pantoloan. The recorded tsunami wave data are used in an inversion method to estimate the source of the tsunami in the form of an initial seafloor displacement. We found that the seafloor displacement was the main cause of the large tsunami. Satellite images and field survey data suggest that landslides around multiple river deltas also generated local tsunami waves. Our numerical simulations of the tsunami inundation show that the disaster was caused by a combination of the sudden ground and seafloor changes from the earthquake, landslides, and the high tide at the time of the event. Key Points: The series of tsunami waves that created the disaster in Palu was caused by a combination of seafloor uplift and multiple landslidesThe seafloor vertical displacement was estimated using tsunami waveform and SAR data and is evaluated to be the source the largest tsunamiGround subsidence of up to 1 m and a tide level of 1 m during the event enhanced the tsunami impact in Palu city [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequent occurrence of landslide tsunami has aroused great social concern, hence an efficient approach for modeling the phenomena is required urgently. Herein, we present and supplement a meshless numerical model named 'Tsunami Squares' (TS). TS simulates both the landslide and its generated wave using an updated numerical scheme that has enhanced computational efficiency. TS also provides an artful way of approximating linear dispersive wave propagation and non-linear wave inundation that makes it quite capable of simulating real-scale events. A well-designed test that compares TS output with an analytical formula for a tsunami propagation calculation provides firm validation of the approach. We then applied the 'Tsunami Squares' to simulate the 1792 Unzen-Mayuyama mega slide and generated tsunami. This event remains the largest volcanic disaster in the history of Japan. Landslide dynamics simulated by TS coincide with historical reports and the known geometry of landslide deposits. The model output of tsunami runup heights well match the observed values recorded by the locations of historical 'Tsunami Stones'. This well documented and data-rich case further validates the 'Tsunami Squares' model and the excellent reproduction of the 1792 event provides new insights for better understanding of landslide tsunami hazards. • Development of a new model for linear and non-linear wave propagation and inundation • Model validation with an analytical formula of a Gaussian water pile propagation • Model application to the data-rich 1792 Unzen-Mayuyama landslide tsunami • Features of energy dissipation in landslide and its generated tsunami dynamics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 28th September 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred on the Palu-Koro strike slip fault near Palu, Indonesia. Shortly after, large tsunami waves generated by the earthquake and the submarine landslides it triggered, washed into Palu Bay. Here, we describe sediment characteristics of the tsunami deposits and present wave height models to provide a modern analogue for tsunamis occurring on strike slip faults. We analyzed 51 sediment samples from 21 sampling points on two transects at Palu City and one transect at Pantaloan. At Palu City, the tsunami inundated between 250 and 270 m inland. Sediments were massive, with landward fining from coarse sands (φ 0) to fine sands (φ 3.7) and weak upward fining sequences (by up to 1 φ). At Pantaloan the tsunami inundated up to 275 m inland. Sediments were massive, with landward fining from a few grains of gravel (φ −2) and coarse sands (φ 0.5) to fine sands (φ 2.5) and weak upward fining sequences (by up to 1 φ). Based on the sediment data the TSUFLIND model predicted: at Palu city flow depths of 1 to 8 m, and flow velocities up to 3.9 m/s; and at Pantoloan flow depths of 2 to 8 m, and flow velocities up 3.8 m/s. The boulder transport model was applied to data from heavy concrete blocks (0.8 to 4.9 tons) deposited by the tsunami between 46 and 125 m inland, and predicted flow depths of 0.8 to 4.3 m and flow velocities up to 5.6 m/s. The rapid attenuation inland of the tsunami flow depth is consistent with the event being partially generated by landslides caused by the Palu-Donggala earthquake. A study of Dutch colonial archives and historical data reveals at least six tsunami events have occurred in or near Palu Bay since 1920, suggesting a very short return period for such events, and a significant tsunami hazard to the area. • Palu-Donggala tsunami reached flow depths of up to 8 m. • Palu-Donggala tsunami reached flow velocity of up to 5.6 m/s. • Palu-Donggala tsunami was destructive within the initial 100 m but rapidly diminished in intensity beyond. • Six tsunamis occurred in or near Palu Bay since 1920, suggesting a significant tsunami hazard to the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hypothetical landslide tsunami at the Nile Delta in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea is modeled in order to study hazards it would pose to the region. The methodology used is based on numerical simulation of the generation and propagation of a realistic landslide scenario. The volume of the landslide source is 41 km3, located offshore northern Egypt. The maximum simulated wave heights along the northern, southern, and eastern coasts in the region are in the range of 1–12, 1–6.5, and 0.5–3 m, respectively. The maximum tsunami current velocity along the coasts reaches ~ 2–5 m s–1. Simulations show that bathymetric features in the region and the coastal morphology focus the maximum tsunami waves into some specific paths along which the largest tsunami runup heights occur. The semi-enclosed nature of the eastern Mediterranean causes wave reflections, which result in several wave trains arriving at every coastal site. In some coastal sites, the largest simulated wave belongs to the second wave train, indicating that wave reflection is responsible for this delayed large wave. Based on the results, deployment of a network of deepwater pressure gauges may help in detection and early warning of possible landslide-generated tsunamis in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The significance of the impulse product parameter P is reviewed, which is believed to be the most universal parameter for subaerial landslide tsunami (impulse wave) prediction. This semi-empirical parameter is based on the streamwise slide momentum flux component and it was refined with a multiple regression laboratory data analysis. Empirical equations based on P allow for a simple prediction of wave features under diverse conditions (landslides and ice masses, granular and block slides, etc.). Analytical evidence reveals that a mass sliding down a hill slope of angle 51.6° results in the highest waves. The wave height “observed” in the 1958 Lituya Bay case was well predicted using P. Other real-world case studies illustrate how efficient empirical equations based on P deliver wave estimates which support hazard assessment. Future applications are hoped to further confirm the applicability of P to cases with more complex water body geometries and bathymetries.

Landslides falling into water bodies can generate impulsive waves, which are a type of tsunamis. The propagating wave may be highly destructive for hydraulic structures, civil infrastructure and people living along the shorelines. A facility to study this phenomenon was set up in the laboratory of the Technical University of Catalonia. The set-up consists of a new device releasing granular material at high velocity into a wave basin. A system employing laser sheets, high-speed and high-definition cameras was designed to accurately measure the high velocity and geometry of the sliding mass as well as the produced water displacement in time and space. The analysis of experimental data helped to develop empirical relationships linking the landslide parameters with the produced wave amplitude, propagation features and energy, which are useful tools for the hazard assessment. The empirical relationships were successfully tested in the case of the 2007 event that occurred in Chehalis Lake (Canada). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Twenty-two papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume II of the PAGEOPH topical issue 'Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future'. Volume I of this topical issue was published as PAGEOPH, vol. 173, No. 12, 2016 (Eds., E. L. Geist, H. M. Fritz, A. B. Rabinovich, and Y. Tanioka). Three papers in Volume II focus on details of the 2011 and 2016 tsunami-generating earthquakes offshore of Tohoku, Japan. The next six papers describe important case studies and observations of recent and historical events. Four papers related to tsunami hazard assessment are followed by three papers on tsunami hydrodynamics and numerical modelling. Three papers discuss problems of tsunami warning and real-time forecasting. The final set of three papers importantly investigates tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: volcanic explosions, landslides, and meteorological disturbances. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified approach was proposed to efficiently simulate the tsunamis generated by a submarine slump. The landslide tsunami generation process was simulated using a long-wave model, simplifying the wave generation problem as a slump traveling down a plane slope with a prescribed trajectory. As a result, the landslide tsunami generation process was parameterized by 11 input parameters. The wave profile at the end of the wave generation process can then be specified as the initial conditions in any numerical tsunami propagation model to study the subsequent tsunami propagation. To demonstrate the capability of this new landslide tsunami generation approach, we used it in combination with an existing Boussinesq wave solver to simulate the 1998 Papua New Guinea landslide tsunami. The results based on the newly calculated physics-based wave profile compare reasonably well with field measurements and the results based on an existing tuning-based wave profile. Sensitivity tests were performed to examine the sensitivity of the runup results to each of the 11 input parameters. Six sets of 100-case Monte Carlo experiments were conducted to investigate the propagation of uncertainty from the input parameters to the runup results. Runup uncertainty was found to be approximately 1.5 times the parameter uncertainty, highlighting the uncertain nature of landslide tsunamis. • A new approach is proposed to efficiently simulate submarine slump generated tsunamis. • The new approach shows good predictive ability for the 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunami. • Sensitivity analysis is performed for the 11 model input parameters. • More than 600 potential tsunami scenarios are simulated in Monte Carlo experiments. • Runup uncertainty is found to be 1.5 times the parameter uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On September 28, 2018, a Mw 7.5 earthquake triggered near Central Sulawesi generated a highly destructive tsunami within Paul Bay (Indonesia). Field surveys and various studies conducted after the event showed that, as a result of the earthquake, several large submarine landslides were triggered along the shores of the bay, that significantly contributed to tsunami generation. The estimated geometry and other parameters for these slides, however, were affected by a large uncertainty. Here, we present a probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis of this event, based on Monte Carlo simulations using a linear Mild Slope Equation (MSE) model combined with a Green's function approach, that allow efficiently simulating a large number of stochastic landslide tsunami generation and propagation scenarios within Palu Bay, for each of the identified landslides. In the MSE model, a space and time-dependent source term is used to represent the seafloor motion associated with each landslide scenario. In the Green's function approach, a large database of elementary solutions and their tsunami elevation at a large number of coastal save points is pre-computed for tsunamis generated by a unit seafloor acceleration specified over a small area. Then, given an actual submarine landslide scenario, with a specific acceleration function, the tsunami elevation at the save points is simply and efficiently computed as a weighed linear superposition of the elementary solutions. Tsunami runup is finally obtained using a semi-empirical method, based on results computed at save points for each landslide scenario. The model is applied to the 2018 Palu Bay tsunami event, allowing to investigate how the uncertainty in landslide parameters affects tsunami hazard. A comparison with observed runups is made, which shows that these fall within the range of uncertainty of the simulated probabilistic runups. • Landslide tsunami occurred at Palu bay after earthquake in Central Sulawesi, 2018. • Monte Carlo simulations are performed using a Green's function approach. • Authors studied how uncertainty in landslide parameters affects tsunami hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulse waves are generated by landslides or avalanches impacting oceans, lakes or reservoirs, for example. Non-breaking impulse wave runup on slope angles ranging from 10° to 90° (V/H: 1/5.7 to 1/0) is investigated. The prediction of runup heights induced by these waves is an important parameter for hazard assessment and mitigation. An experimental dataset containing 359 runup heights by impulse and solitary waves is compiled from several published sources. Existing equations, both empirical and analytical, are then applied to this dataset to assess their prediction quality on an extended parameter range. Based on this analysis, a new prediction equation is proposed. The main findings are: (1) solitary waves are a suitable proxy for modelling impulse wave runup; (2) commonly applied equations from the literature may underestimate the runup height of small wave amplitudes; (3) the proposed semi-empirical equations predict the overall dataset within ±20% scatter for relative wave crest amplitudes ε, i.e., the wave crest amplitude normalised with the stillwater depth, between 0.007 and 0.69.

Twenty-five papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume I of the PAGEOPH topical issue 'Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future'. Six papers examine various aspects of tsunami probability and uncertainty analysis related to hazard assessment. Three papers relate to deterministic hazard and risk assessment. Five more papers present new methods for tsunami warning and detection. Six papers describe new methods for modeling tsunami hydrodynamics. Two papers investigate tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: landslides and meteorological disturbances. The final three papers describe important case studies of recent and historical events. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present numerical simulations of the April 27, 1975, landslide event in the northern extreme of Kitimat Arm, British Columbia. The event caused a tsunami with an estimated wave height of 8.2 m at Kitimat First Nations Settlement and 6.1 m at Clio Bay, at the northern and southern ends of Kitimat Arm, respectively. We use the nonhydrostatic model NHWAVE to perform a series of numerical experiments with different slide configurations and with two approaches to modeling the slide motion: a solid slide with motion controlled by a basal Coulomb friction and a depth-integrated numerical slide based on Newtonian viscous flow. Numerical tests show that both models are capable of reproducing observations of the event if an adequate representation of slide geometry is used. We further show that comparable results are obtained using estimates of either Coulomb friction angle or slide viscosity that are within reasonable ranges of values found in previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a tsunami disaster, long-span bridges in coastal areas form critical transport channels for relief so it is crucial that they survive tsunami wave forces. Here we establish a dynamic response analysis framework for long-span bridges and applied it to a landslide tsunami scenario impacting a sea-crossing cable-stayed bridge near Hong Kong, China. First, a meshless numerical approach called Tsunami Squares (TS) simulated the movement of a plausible submarine landslide and its generated near-source waves. Second, we propagated the tsunami ∼300 km to the bridge site and computed wave forces on the bridge substructure. Third, we constructed a dynamic response analysis of the long-span bridge due to those forces. Results show that transverse and longitudinal forces on the bridge substructure reach maximum at different times and transverse load is larger than longitudinal load. The transverse displacement of the cable-stayed bridge dominates both longitudinal and torsional displacements but falls below the safety level even under the most extreme tsunami conditions. Landslide features have non-linear effects on tsunami waves and structural responses so a wide parameter space should be considered. The framework developed here provides effective means for assessing the dynamic state of long-span bridges during tsunami disasters. • A framework was proposed to analyze the response of the long-span bridge under potential landslide tsunamis. • Tsunami wave height and velocity may not peak at the same time. • The dominant time periods of the transverse and longitudinal tsunami wave force are different. • The influence of landslide parameters on tsunami height and corresponding bridge response shows a nonlinear growth effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main difficulty in implementing a Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) in the Mediterranean Sea arises from the proximity of the tsunami sources to the coasts at risk. Between few minutes and few tens of minutes are available for a timely warning of a possible approaching tsunami. To date, the only TEWS already operating in the Mediterranean Sea is that run by the Italian Department for Civil Protection at the Island of Stromboli, located north of Sicily in the south of the Tyrrhenian Sea. An active volcano is located on the island. The landslides that often detach from the “Sciara del Fuoco” following eruptive activity may result in the generation of tsunamis that propagate around the island and toward the coasts of Italy. The implemented TEWS is therefore aimed at mitigating the risk of landslide generated tsunamis. The present paper illustrates some of the experimental activities carried out during the last decade aimed at improving the TEWS of Stromboli island. A series of experiments was carried out with the main aim of gaining insight on landslide generated tsunamis. In general, the experimental results were intended to be useful for the definition of forecasting formulae, for the validation of math- ematical models, for the improvement of the knowledge on involved phenomena and for the optimization of detection algorithm. In particular, the physical investigations aimed at improving the TEWS of the Stromboli are detailed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ischia is the emergent top of a large volcanic complex that rises more than 1,000 m above the sea floor, at the north-western end of the Gulf of Naples. Caldera resurgence in the central part of the island has resulted in the formation of differentially displaced blocks, among which Mt. Epomeo (787 m a.s.l.) is the most uplifted. Deformation and slope instability have been recognised as common features induced by a block resurgence mechanism that causes uplift and favours gravitational loading and flank failure. The Monte Nuovo block, a topographic high on the north-western flank of Mt. Epomeo, has recently been interpreted as a block affected by deep-seated gravitational slope deformation. This block may undergo a catastrophic failure in the case of renewal of magmatic activity. This paper investigates the potential failure of the Monte Nuovo block as a rockslide-debris avalanche, the consequent tsunami generation and wave propagation, and discusses the catastrophic effects of such an event. Mobilization-prone volume has been estimated at about 160·10 6 m 3 and would move from a maximum elevation of 400 m a.s.l. The landslide itself would sweep away a densely populated territory as large as 3.5 km 2. The highest waves generated by the tsunami, on which this paper is mainly focussed, would hit the northern and western shores of Ischia. However, the high coast would prevent inundation and limit devastation to beaches, harbours and surrounding areas. Most of the tsunami energy would head towards the north-east, hitting the Campania coast. Severe inundation would affect an area of up to 20 km 2 around the mouth of the Volturno river, including the urban area of Castel Volturno. In contrast, less energy would travel towards the south, and the Gulf of Naples would be perturbed by long persisting waves of limited damaging potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of sea level will enhance erosion of cliffs that will be in the reach of storm waves in the distant future. We analyse the possible consequences of erosion-driven collapse of the cliff of Cap Canaille, located approximately 20 km from Marseille, France. A resulting fall of large amount of rocks (several millions m³) into the sea (or a subaerial landslide of an equal volume) may generate a local tsunami that will endanger the adjacent seaside resort Cassis. The propagation of waves, created by this hypothetic event, is simulated using the fully non-linear Boussinesq wave model FUNWAVE. The maximum elevation in Cassis may reach 3.6 m and it only weakly depends on the particular scenario of the collapse. The largest source of danger is the short arrival time (3-3.5 min) of the first wave that is also the highest one. This requires implementation of nontraditional means for building resilience of the local coastal community with respect to such events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Submarine landslides along the continental slope of the U.S. Atlantic margin are potential sources for tsunamis along the U.S. East coast. The magnitude of potential tsunamis depends on the volume and location of the landslides, and tsunami frequency depends on their recurrence interval. However, the size and recurrence interval of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin is poorly known. Well-studied landslide-generated tsunamis in other parts of the world have been shown to be associated with earthquakes. Because the size distribution and recurrence interval of earthquakes is generally better known than those for submarine landslides, we propose here to estimate the size and recurrence interval of submarine landslides from the size and recurrence interval of earthquakes in the near vicinity of the said landslides. To do so, we calculate maximum expected landslide size for a given earthquake magnitude, use recurrence interval of earthquakes to estimate recurrence interval of landslide, and assume a threshold landslide size that can generate a destructive tsunami. The maximum expected landslide size for a given earthquake magnitude is calculated in 3 ways: by slope stability analysis for catastrophic slope failure on the Atlantic continental margin, by using land-based compilation of maximum observed distance from earthquake to liquefaction, and by using land-based compilation of maximum observed area of earthquake-induced landslides. We find that the calculated distances and failure areas from the slope stability analysis is similar or slightly smaller than the maximum triggering distances and failure areas in subaerial observations. The results from all three methods compare well with the slope failure observations of the M w =7.2, 1929 Grand Banks earthquake, the only historical tsunamigenic earthquake along the North American Atlantic margin. The results further suggest that a M w =7.5 earthquake (the largest expected earthquake in the eastern U.S.) must be located offshore and within 100 km of the continental slope to induce a catastrophic slope failure. Thus, a repeat of the 1755 Cape Anne and 1881 Charleston earthquakes are not expected to cause landslides on the continental slope. The observed rate of seismicity offshore the U.S. Atlantic coast is very low with the exception of New England, where some microseismicity is observed. An extrapolation of annual strain rates from the Canadian Atlantic continental margin suggests that the New England margin may experience the equivalent of a magnitude 7 earthquake on average every 600–3000 yr. A minimum triggering earthquake magnitude of 5.5 is suggested for a sufficiently large submarine failure to generate a devastating tsunami and only if the epicenter is located within the continental slope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]