Propagation and Inundation Characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami on the Central Sanriku Coast

TLDR

The study investigates the propagation and inundation of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami along the central Sanriku coast. Field surveys and numerical simulations driven by offshore wave recordings were used to analyze the tsunami behavior. The numerical model reproduces flood extents and tsunami.

Abstract

AbstractPropagation and inundation characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami on the central Sanriku coast are investigated through field surveys and numerical simulations using offshore wave recordings as incident wave conditions. The numerical model successfully reproduces the extent of flood areas as well as the distribution of tsunami heights along the intricate coastline except for run-up of extreme heights over steep slopes. The survey and computed results suggest significant variations of tsunami heights along the coastline. Their positive dependency on topographic slopes implies that the incoming tsunami propagates in standing wave mode to precipitous sites while in progressive wave mode accompanied by wave breaking over gentle slopes. Temporal-spatial analysis of wave properties in different bays reveals that the inner bay topography provides a clear contrast to inundation characteristics. The impacting waves have extreme heights due to the funnel effect and local wave resonances causing highly transient flooding in narrow V-shaped bays whereas tsunami surges over longer periods across innermost shores of U-shaped bays to produce large horizontal velocities during both run-up and backwash phases.Keywords: 2011 Tohoku tsunamifield surveysimulationtopographic amplificationSanriku coast This article is part of the following collections: Coastal Engineering Journal Citation and Reviewer Awards