Tsunami impact assessment: development of vulnerability matrix for critical infrastructure and application to Christchurch, New Zealand

James H. Williams (), Thomas M. Wilson, Nick Horspool, Emily M. Lane, Matthew W. Hughes, Tim Davies, Lina Le and Finn Scheele
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James H. Williams: University of Canterbury
Thomas M. Wilson: University of Canterbury
Nick Horspool: GNS Science
Emily M. Lane: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Matthew W. Hughes: University of Canterbury
Tim Davies: University of Canterbury
Lina Le: University of Canterbury
Finn Scheele: GNS Science

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2019, vol. 96, issue 3, No 9, 1167-1211

Abstract: Abstract Tsunamis can have severe impacts on society. In addition to casualties and damage to buildings, they can also damage and disrupt critical infrastructure. To support effective risk management, it is important to understand the possible extent, severity and duration of these impacts. While impacts on buildings and casualty estimations are relatively well developed for tsunamis, critical infrastructure impact models are either not available or lack accurate vulnerability information. This paper addresses these issues by reviewing global tsunami impacts to critical infrastructure to develop a semi-quantitative tsunami damage matrix for critical infrastructure components and systems. One potential application of the damage matrix is demonstrated within an impact assessment process for Christchurch, New Zealand. The impact assessment determines asset damage likelihood for energy, water, telecommunication and transportation assets from a large tsunami inundation scenario. Consistent with observations from previous international tsunamis, above-ground assets and buried storm water pipe networks in Christchurch were found to perform poorly, while buried potable and waste water pipe networks were less impacted. This process provides a simple, but widely applicable, impact assessment approach which further studies can build on. Future research should focus on developing quantitative probabilistic tsunami vulnerability models for critical infrastructure that implement multiple asset standards and hazard intensity measures, and better account for uncertainty.

Keywords: Tsunami; Tsunami impacts; Infrastructure vulnerability; Impact assessment; Christchurch (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-019-03603-6

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