TY - GEN
T1 - Detailed simulation of tsunami-induced currents in California ports and harbors
AU - Lynett, Patrick
AU - Borrero, Jose
AU - Wilson, Rick
AU - Miller, Kevin
AU - Son, Sangyoung
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - In this paper, the well-established approaches of coupling tsunami generation to seismic seafloor motion and the following trans-oceanic wave propagation will be briefly introduced. The focus of the paper will be on the complex transformation of the tsunami as it approaches very shallow water, as well as how these possibly large and fast-moving water waves interact with coastal infrastructure. Examples of coastal impact will be discussed and used to frame the theoretical efforts. The majority of the discussion will focus on tsunami-induced currents in ports and harbors. Tsunamis, or "harbor waves" in Japanese, are so-named due to the common observation of enhanced damage in harbors and ports. However, the dynamic currents induced by these waves, while regularly observed and known to cause significant damage, are poorly understood. We will show that the strongest currents in a port are governed by horizontally sheared and rotational shallow flow with imbedded turbulent coherent structures. Without proper representation of the physics associated with these phenomena, predictive models may provide drag force estimates that are an order of magnitude or more in error. Such an error can mean the difference between an unaffected port and one in which vessels 300 meters in length drift and spin chaotically through billions of dollars of infrastructure. Here, we present example simulation results of a numerical modeling study aimed at providing the California Geological Survey (CGS) and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) quantitative guidance on maritime tsunami hazards in California ports and harbors. The study focuses on tsunami-induced currents and seeks to define the relative hazard in specific ports and harbors as a result of these currents.
AB - In this paper, the well-established approaches of coupling tsunami generation to seismic seafloor motion and the following trans-oceanic wave propagation will be briefly introduced. The focus of the paper will be on the complex transformation of the tsunami as it approaches very shallow water, as well as how these possibly large and fast-moving water waves interact with coastal infrastructure. Examples of coastal impact will be discussed and used to frame the theoretical efforts. The majority of the discussion will focus on tsunami-induced currents in ports and harbors. Tsunamis, or "harbor waves" in Japanese, are so-named due to the common observation of enhanced damage in harbors and ports. However, the dynamic currents induced by these waves, while regularly observed and known to cause significant damage, are poorly understood. We will show that the strongest currents in a port are governed by horizontally sheared and rotational shallow flow with imbedded turbulent coherent structures. Without proper representation of the physics associated with these phenomena, predictive models may provide drag force estimates that are an order of magnitude or more in error. Such an error can mean the difference between an unaffected port and one in which vessels 300 meters in length drift and spin chaotically through billions of dollars of infrastructure. Here, we present example simulation results of a numerical modeling study aimed at providing the California Geological Survey (CGS) and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) quantitative guidance on maritime tsunami hazards in California ports and harbors. The study focuses on tsunami-induced currents and seeks to define the relative hazard in specific ports and harbors as a result of these currents.
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U2 - 10.1061/97807784413067.057
DO - 10.1061/97807784413067.057
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84887399575
SN - 9780784413067
T3 - Ports 2013: Success Through Diversification - Proceedings of the 13th Triennial International Conference
SP - 550
EP - 559
BT - Ports 2013
T2 - 13th Triennial International Conference - Ports 2013: Success Through Diversification
Y2 - 25 August 2013 through 28 August 2013
ER -