A universal parameter to predict subaerial landslide tsunamis?

Heller, Valentin; Hager, Willi H.

Abstract

The significance of the impulse product parameter P is reviewed, which is believed to be the most universal parameter for subaerial landslide tsunami (impulse wave) prediction. This semi-empirical parameter is based on the streamwise slide momentum flux component and it was refined with a multiple regression laboratory data analysis. Empirical equations based on P allow for a simple prediction of wave features under diverse conditions (landslides and ice masses, granular and block slides, etc.). Analytical evidence reveals that a mass sliding down a hill slope of angle 51.6° results in the highest waves. The wave height ―observed‖ in the 1958 Lituya Bay case was well predicted using P. Other real-world case studies illustrate how efficient empirical equations based on P deliver wave estimates which support hazard assessment. Future applications are hoped to further confirm the applicability of P to cases with more complex water body geometries and bathymetries.
Keywords: hazard

Citation

Heller, V., & Hager, W. H. (2014). A universal parameter to predict subaerial landslide tsunamis?. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2(2), https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse2020400

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 31, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 29, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jul 26, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 26, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
• Electronic ISSN: 2077-1312
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse2020400
• Keywords: hazard assessment; impulse wave; landslide; landslide tsunami; physical modelling; wave generation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/726442
• Publisher URL: http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/2/2/400