Spatial Statistics of Tsunami Overland Flow Properties
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 2
Abstract
Numerical models are a key component of methodologies used to estimate tsunami risk, and model predictions are essential for the development of tsunami hazard assessments (THAs). By better understanding model bias and variability and, if possible, minimizing them, more reliable THAs will result. In this study, the authors compare run-up height, inundation lines, and flow-velocity field measurements between an open-source tsunami model and the method of splitting tsunami (MOST) model predictions in the Sendai Plain in Japan. Run-up elevation and average inundation distance are, in general, overpredicted by the models. However, both models agree relatively well with each other when predicting maximum sea surface elevations and maximum flow velocities. Furthermore, to explore the variability in numerical models, MOST is used to compare predictions from six different grid resolutions (90, 60, 30, 20, 15, and 10 m). Results of this work show that predictions of statistically stable products (run-up, inundation lines, and flow velocities) do not require the use of high-resolution (<30-m) digital elevation maps at this particular location. When predicting run-up heights, inundation lines, and flow velocities, numerical convergence was achieved by using the 30-m resolution grid. In addition, the Froude number variation in overland flow and a MOST sensitivity analysis are presented. Also, run-up height measurements and elevations from the digital elevation map were used to estimate model bias. The results provided in this paper will help provide an understanding of the bias and variability in model predictions and locate possible sources of errors within a model.
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© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Nov 24, 2015
Accepted: Jun 8, 2016
Published online: Aug 17, 2016
Discussion open until: Jan 17, 2017
Published in print: Mar 1, 2017
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