Tsunami Features of Solid Block Underwater Landslides

Abstract

Near-field and far-field wave features generated by solid block underwater landslides are described qualitatively and quantitatively. The characteristic time of landslide motion and maximum near-field wave amplitude suffice to scale many of these water wave features. Criteria are provided to determine if water waves generated by underwater landslides propagate as deepwater or shallow water waves. Estimates of the dominant far-field wavelength are provided for both cases. A precise location is given for the beginning of far-field wave propagation for deepwater waves. Weakly nonlinear and dispersive effects of shallow water wave propagation are examined. Around 5% of solid block maximum kinetic energy is converted into wave energy.