Planning and modelling for mitigation of tsunami impacts

Authors: Ruwanpura, J.¹; Wickaramaratne, S.¹; Braun, A.²; Wirasinghe, S. C.¹

Source: Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, Volume 26, Number 2, June 2009 , pp. 195-209(15)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

Abstract:

Disaster preparedness, mitigation and management in all its facets are a global concern. Despite being a rare occurrence, a tsunami can cause massive damage to property and livelihood, and cause many deaths. Considering the fact that two-thirds of the globe is covered by oceans, where most subduction zones that cause earthquakes are located, all coastal countries are in danger. While acknowledging the impossibility of thwarting such catastrophes, we emphasise the possibility of reducing the impacts by providing proper advance warnings. Thus, the performance of available tsunami detection and warning mechanisms needs ongoing review. This paper elaborates on the modelling, simulation and comparison of two proposed tsunami warning systems for the Indian Ocean, and the existing temporary warning system for Sri Lanka. The uncertainties prevalent in such systems are also addressed indicating their influences on the successful dissemination of warnings. It is shown that a major improvement of the probability of issuing a warning for Sri Lanka within one hour, given that a tsunami has been initiated from an earthquake, can be obtained if a centralised system is implemented for the Indian Ocean.

Keywords: modelling; mitigation; network; tsunami warning

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286600802435835

Affiliations: 1: Department of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada 2: Department of Geomatics Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

Publication date: 2009-06-01

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