Articles tagged with Tsunamis
A team of researchers at Oregon State University has developed a new method for studying tsunami risk to coastal infrastructure. The technique uses a centrifuge to simulate the effects of tsunami waves on soil, allowing for more accurate modeling and potential engineering solutions.
Researchers have identified 'terminator' events that mark the end of sunspot cycles, potentially triggering plasma tsunamis and the start of new solar cycles. The study provides insight into the mysterious timing of sunspot cycles, which are crucial for predicting solar storms that can disrupt Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to manipulate the 'branched flow' of waves, which can be exploited to send waves along specific paths. The technique uses numerical simulations to calculate the optimal wave shape and can be applied to various types of waves, including light, sound, and sonar waves.
A team of scientists has simulated tsunamis in the Gulf of Elat-Aqaba using a GeoClaw modeling program and concluded that future tsunami hazards are possible. The region's economic importance is heightened by its growing shipping ports, tourism, and water and electrical projects.
A 14th-century tsunami devastated coastal settlements in Sumatra, leading to a shift in the region's political economy. The disaster redirected history, paving the way for the formation of the Aceh sultanate.
A 2019 study found evidence of sporadic, small landslides preceding a massive one on Ritter Island, sparking interest in whether slow landslides reduce the risk of catastrophic collapses. Researchers measured seismic activity and deformation patterns to understand the island's dynamics.
Researchers from Hokkaido University used underwater pressure sensors to measure the volume of icebergs breaking off from a glacier, finding a positive correlation with wave amplitude. The study also revealed that submarine melting caused most of the mass loss at the glacier front.
Seafloor mapping reveals active fault zones with potential to trigger tsunamis in the central Salish Sea, affecting islands and coastal areas of the US. Researchers warn of increased tsunami risk due to recent fault activity and unstable Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Researchers have discovered that tsunami-like solitary waves, known as clusters, move in synchrony with each other. The findings were made possible by observing how the waves behave when they occur in a series, revealing intriguing patterns of movement and coordination.
Researchers have developed a new method to design systems with greater disaster resistance and resilience by incorporating negative probability. This method models correlated disruptions as independent impacts on virtual supporting stations, reducing complexity and enabling easier calculation of probabilities.
Researchers analyzed the Sulawesi island earthquake to identify its propagation speed of 4.1 km/s, which falls between seismic wave speeds. The study's findings suggest that steady rupture at unexpected speeds can occur on damaged rocks and may enhance cascading effects.
Researchers created a model of the volcanic flank collapse caused by the eruption, predicting maximum wave heights and impact zones. The study aims to improve tsunami preparedness in the United States with advanced models and simulations.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new, physics-based methodology to design bridge connections and steel bearings to better withstand tsunamis. Their study found that the transmission of forces to supporting substructures changes significantly with modifications to vertical and horizontal stiffness.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a fast and accurate method for estimating local geomagnetic fields using machine-learning techniques. This approach can detect changes caused by earthquakes and tsunamis, enabling unprecedentedly early warnings before these natural disasters strike.
Scientists have recorded horizontal and vertical movement of a submerged volcanic flank for the first time using a sound-based underwater geodetic monitoring network. The entire southeastern flank is in motion due to gravity, and a catastrophic collapse could trigger a major tsunami.
A new study finds that sea-level rise can significantly increase the tsunami hazard, with smaller tsunamis posing greater risks due to increased flooding frequency. The study simulates tsunami inundation maps for Macau and warns of increased dangers from tsunamis in the South China Sea region.
The workshop discussed how AI can help victims of disasters, including using unmanned aerial vehicles to find survivors and robots to communicate with trapped victims. The goal is to leverage AI to better deliver resources and people to those in urgent need.
Researchers at Tohoku University studied the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake to understand the causal mechanism. They used seismic tomography and found that both the upper Okhotsk plate and lower Pacific plate contributed to the formation of a hard patch responsible for the earthquake.
Researchers find that a flat continental shelf off Mexico's coast efficiently traps edge waves, leading to unusually long-lasting tsunami waves. This phenomenon could pose a significant tsunami hazard in other regions with similar shelf shapes, such as the Pacific Northwest and northern Japan.
Seismologists reexamine the risk of megathrust earthquakes in the Caribbean, considering tsunami scenarios for a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and its potential impact on emergency management planning.
Researchers used eyewitness accounts from 2014 and 2016 to reconstruct the 1946 tsunami's heights and distances, challenging previous estimates. The study found tsunami heights over five meters and flooded areas of up to 600 meters inland.
A global risk index for beach tourism loss due to tsunamis has been developed, revealing that the equivalent of over $250 million USD is lost annually. The top 10 tourism locations with the highest potential tsunami losses include Hawaii, Lima, Peru, and Phuket, Thailand.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Japanese scientists report developing new techniques for modeling tsunami risk in the Nankai Trough, a region predicted to generate a magnitude 8-9 earthquake within the next few decades. The team's GPS-based methods simulate tsunami inundation and validate previous findings.
Researchers developed a new approach to measure the impact of natural disasters on wildlife populations, finding that frequent intense events exert strong selection pressures on species. The study suggests that the 2011 tsunami had a relatively small impact on organisms living in Japan's intertidal zone, comparable to a Pacific storm.
A team of scientists, led by Penn State's Demian Saffer and Laura Wallace, is installing observatories beneath the sea floor to study slow earthquakes. They aim to uncover links between slow earthquakes, large normal earthquakes, and tsunami generation risk.
Researchers have identified diatoms as a weak layer responsible for submarine mega-slides, which can trigger tsunamis. The discovery sheds light on the geological processes that govern these massive slides, which can move millions of cubic kilometers of material.
Scientists at Cardiff University have developed a new method to calculate tsunami size and destructive force by measuring acoustic gravity waves. The technology uses fast-moving underwater sound waves generated after tsunami trigger events, such as earthquakes, making them an ideal source of information for early warning systems.
The reconstruction of Banda Aceh after the 2004 tsunami has led to socio-economic segregation, with lower-income residents facing increased exposure to coastal hazards. The study found that many tsunami survivors preferred to move inland, but were unable to afford it, leading to a divide between affluent and poorer residents.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that compact sediments along the Cascadia Subduction Zone increase earthquake and tsunami hazards. Compact sediments offshore of Washington and northern Oregon can lead to more stress buildup and longer rupture distances, making them prone to triggering larger tsunamis.
A team of researchers from LMU and TUM used supercomputing resources to simulate a massive earthquake with 1,500km of non-linear fracture mechanics, achieving a 13-fold improvement in time to solution. The simulation helped understand the complex process behind megathrust earthquakes, which can unleash violent tsunamis.
A tsunami in Hawaii's Kona Coast provided a rare glimpse into underwater soundscapes without human disruption, revealing that boat traffic and sonar exercises create the loudest disruptions in bays. This study validates concerns about human noise pollution disrupting dolphin sleep patterns.
A new geological analysis of a 6,000-year-old human skull found in Papua New Guinea suggests that it may be the oldest known victim of a tsunami. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that the person likely died in a catastrophic tsunami around 6,000 years ago.
A 6,000-year-old human skull discovered in Papua New Guinea has been confirmed as the world's oldest known tsunami victim. The skull was analyzed using scientific techniques to determine its age and environmental context, which revealed a violent tsunami that struck the coast around 6,000 years ago.
A 6,000-year-old skull discovered in Papua New Guinea may be the oldest known record of a person killed in a tsunami. The skull was found with geological characteristics matching ancient tsunami activity, suggesting it could belong to the world's earliest known tsunami victim.
A new study by GFZ scientists suggests that giant lateral collapses can divert the deep paths of magmas, forming new eruptive centres within collapse embayment. This phenomenon is common in regions like the Canary Islands and Hawaii, with implications for understanding intraplate volcanic ocean islands' long-term evolution.
A review of geological evidence in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that up to 90% of tsunami events may have been misinterpreted as storm activity. The study, published in Science Advances, reevaluates 135 past events and finds that most dates for tsunamis peaked every 1500 years, coinciding with severe storms.
A PSU study reveals nearly 300 aquatic species have landed on American shores since the 2011 Japanese tsunami, posing an environmental threat. The research highlights the importance of addressing human activities that contribute to marine pollution and invasive species.
A new study has documented 289 living invertebrate and fish species arriving from Japan on more than 600 pieces of tsunami debris that crossed the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the debris was manmade material contributing to the transoceanic survival and dispersal of coastal species.
Biologists detected nearly 300 coastal species crossing the ocean on makeshift rafts after Japan's 2011 tsunami. The species, including mollusks and crustaceans, likely survived due to slower ocean currents and durable debris like plastic.
A team of UC Santa Barbara geologists used ground-penetrating radar to study the effects of a massive tsunami that hit Northern California 900 years ago. The researchers found that the wave removed three to five times more sand than any historical El Niño storm, with erosion extending up to 360 feet inland.
Seismic reflection data from the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake revealed a frontal prism, reflective zone, and subducted horst-and-graben structures in the Japan Trench. This provides insights into the behavior of large shallow slip zones and potential tsunami earthquakes.
A new study finds that 40% of economic losses and deaths result from secondary effects rather than shaking. Key findings include the importance of preparing against disasters such as tsunamis, liquefaction, fires, landslides, and flooding.
Researchers have mapped a geologic structure off Alaska's seafloor that suggests high tsunami danger, with similar features found in Japan and potentially elsewhere in the Pacific. The discovery highlights the need for better understanding of subduction zones and their potential hazards.
A study by Hirojuki Hikichi and colleagues found that group relocation increased informal socializing and social participation among older adults. Nearly three years after the disaster, respondents who relocated with their community showed increases in meeting with friends and participating in sports clubs.
An international team has found the world's most pristine record of tsunamis in a sea cave in Indonesia, spanning 5,000 years and revealing highly erratic tsunami recurrence. The discovery provides new insights into seismic activity along the Sunda Megathrust.
Researchers used repair petitions to trace damage from the magnitude 7.3 event in Aguadilla, finding a consistent picture with modern-day data. The study provides detailed 'ground truth' of the 1918 quake's impact, useful for predicting future earthquake damage.
Researchers found that 50% of energy is released in slow earthquakes, reducing tsunami risk, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. The study used data from instruments placed on the seafloor and in boreholes east of Japan's coast to understand slow-slip earthquakes and their impact on large earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers studying slow-slip earthquakes on the seafloor off Japan's coast have gained new insights into undersea earthquakes and tsunami creation. About 50% of energy released during these events can be dissipated, potentially reducing tsunami risk.
Researchers have determined the origin of the 1586 Sanriku tsunami that hit Japan, tracing it to a mega-earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. The study used coral fragments dated to the 16th century and found a precise age of 1572±21 years.
Research published in Science journal found that sediment warming contributed to the severity of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, killing over 250,000 people. The study suggests a similar mechanism could be at play in other subduction zones worldwide.
A new study warns that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis could wipe out the world's only population of Javan rhinoceros. The authors urge establishing additional rhino populations away from disaster zones to increase survival odds for at least part of the population.
Researchers at Nagoya University and their colleagues studied historical seismic events to shed light on the mechanisms behind earthquakes at a plate boundary. They found that stronger earthquakes involved ruptures at different sites, providing new insights into risk prediction tools for assessing earthquake likelihood and intensity.
A study of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake reveals a lack of knowledge among Portuguese citizens about tsunamis, yet most recognize the importance of learning more. The authors advocate for including historical and scientific issues in geosciences programs to address seismic risks and responses.
Researchers from the University of Warwick have developed a new theory explaining how raindrops and spilt coffee splashes occur. A minuscule layer of air trapped between the liquid and surface can prevent the liquid from spreading, leading to a splash.
A recent study suggests the Ventura-Pitas Point fault in southern California has a 'ramp-flat geometry' with a flat section between two tilting sections, similar to a staircase. This structure would result in stronger shaking and more damage during an earthquake.
A massive undersea landslide has been revealed on the Great Barrier Reef, spanning approximately 30 kilometers and featuring a debris field of large blocks and smaller knolls. The discovery provides new insights into the reef's complex landscape and poses concerns for tsunami hazard to the Queensland coast.
Researchers propose firing deep-ocean sound waves at oncoming tsunamis to dissipate energy and reduce amplitude. This process could minimize damage and save lives, but poses technical challenges including devising accurate frequency transmitters.
Researchers at the University of Miami have identified margin collapses and submarine landslides along the Great Bahama Bank that could generate tsunamis in the past and potentially again. The study suggests that these events could pose a risk to Florida and Cuba, with tsunami waves potentially several meters high.
After the 2011 tsunami, Japanese researchers found that small fish with short lifespans recovered first, followed by larger fish with longer lifespans, stabilizing populations and increasing body lengths. The study also discovered a brief invasion period, but ultimately, cold-water species began to prey on invading species.
Geologists have identified the Banda Detachment fault in eastern Indonesia, revealing a 7 km-deep abyss formed by 120 km of extension along a low-angle crack. This discovery helps assess dangers of future tsunamis and earthquakes in the region.