Open AccessLandslides Cause Tsunami Waves: Insights From Aysén Fjord, Chile
Author(s) -
Lastras Galderic,
Amblas David,
Calafat Antoni M.,
Canals Miquel,
Frigola Jaime,
Hermanns Reginald L.,
Lafuerza Sara,
Longva Oddvar,
Micallef Aaron,
Sepúlveda Sergio A.,
Vargas Gabriel,
Batist Marc De,
Daele Maarten Van,
Azpiroz María,
Bascuñán Ignacio,
Duhart Paul,
Iglesias Olaia,
Kempf Philipp,
Rayo Xavier
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1002/2013eo340002
Subject(s) - fjord , subaerial , landslide , shore , geology , oceanography , geography , geomorphology , seismology
On 21 April 2007, an Mw 6.2 earthquake produced an unforeseen chain of events in the Aysén fjord (Chilean Patagonia, 45.5°S). The earthquake triggered hundreds of subaerial landslides along the fjord flanks. Some of the landslides eventually involved a subaqueous component that, in turn, generated a series of displacement waves—tsunami‐like waves produced by the fast entry of a subaerial landmass into a water body—within the fjord [ Naranjo et al ., 2009; Sepúlveda and Serey , 2009; Hermanns et al ., 2013]. These waves, with run‐ups several meters high along the shoreline, caused 10 fatalities. In addition, they severely damaged salmon farms, which constitute the main economic activity in the region, setting free millions of cultivated salmon with still unknown ecological consequences.