Numerical Simulations of Large Water Waves due to Landslides

Abstract

A mathematical model based on the hydrodynamic shallow water equations is developed for numerical simulation of slide generated waves in fjords. The equations are solved numerically by a finite difference technique. To examine the performance of the numerical model we have simulated the slide catastrophe in Tafjord, western Norway, 1934. The predicted runup heights are in good agreement with measured runup heights. The effects of wave amplification are estimated in runup zones with gentle beach slopes. The model results reveal wave energy trapping due to the fjord geometry. This causes standing wave oscillations in accordance with the observations.