Numerical simulation and field survey of inundation due to 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

J. Wijetunge ()

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2010, vol. 54, issue 1, 177-192

Abstract: This paper outlines the field measurements and numerical modelling carried out to develop a high-resolution tsunami inundation map, as a case study, for the city of Trincomalee on the east coast of Sri Lanka, which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. We employ the deterministic approach together with numerical simulations based on the probable worst-case scenario to derive the inundation map. Linear and non-linear versions of shallow-water equations have been utilized to simulate tsunami propagation and onshore inundation, respectively. The field data considered in the present paper comprise the extent of inundation, the tsunami heights and the arrival times whilst the model results include the spatial distribution of the flow depth, the peak current speeds and the momentum flux. The computed extent of onshore inundation reproduces the observed overall pattern of inundation in most areas barring the south-eastern part of the city. Further, the model simulations suggest maximum flow depths up to about 2 m in most areas of the city whilst patches of flow depths exceeding 2 m can be seen in a narrow strip along the coastline. The computed current speeds also exceed 3 m/s at some locations adjacent to the shoreline. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Keywords: Indian Ocean tsunami; Numerical modelling; Field measurements; Inundation map; Flow depth; Current speed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-009-9459-z

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