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The effect of bathymetry on tsunami characteristics at Sisano Lagoon, Papua New Guinea
Author(s) -
Matsuyama Masafumi,
Walsh J. P.,
Yeh Harry
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl005412
Subject(s) - bathymetry , new guinea , geology , submarine pipeline , seafloor spreading , seismology , tsunami earthquake , landslide , submarine landslide , oceanography , submarine , fault (geology) , ethnology , history
The 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunami was greater than expected from its earthquake magnitude. The area of significant impact was small, approximately a 30 km stretch near the mouth of Sissano Lagoon, Papua New Guinea. To explain the localized nature of the event, a submarine landslide has been conjectured to be responsible. Our study indicates that offshore bathymetry is critical to predicting tsunami coastal behavior. Model runs with newly obtained bathymetric data indicate that an earthquake fault source combined with the existing seafloor geometry may also explain the concentrated tsunami. Although the definitive cause of the Papua New Guinea tsunami remains uncertain, local bathymetry had a notable effect on the wave behavior.