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Preliminary simulations of the 2011 Japan tsunami

Completed
By Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center March 18, 2019

Preliminary simulations of the tsunami from the March 11, 2011 M=9.1 subduction zone earthquake offshore of Honshu, Japan.

For more information about the earthquake that caused this tsunami:

Please note that the program used to create these simulations does not model nonlinear and breaking effects as waves travel into shallow water (e.g., Sendai Bay).

 

Viewpoint north

Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation.

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Viewpoint south

Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation. 

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Close-up of the tsunami on the northern Honshu coast

Viewpoint looks to the south. Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation.

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

See also, Notes From the Field

International Tsunami Survey Team visits Japan in May 2011, following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Next to a road, a tall, two-story structure stands heavily damaged and ripped to shreds with a smashed upside-down boat.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Damage as seen in Natori, Japan, in May 2011. The March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the east coast of Japan caused an epic tsunami. USGS scientist standing near the wrecked boat, and a car on the road, provide scale. Damage to the building indicates a 10-meter flow depth. Photo credit: Bruce Jaffe, USGS.

 

link
A home, severely damaged by the tsunami that hit Sumatra on December 26, 2004, sits atop debris.

Tsunami Hazards, Modeling, and the Sedimentary Record

Basic research to develop the geologic record of paleotsunamis and improve the ability to interpret that record is needed to mitigate tsunami risk in the U.S.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, 3-D CT Core Imaging Laboratory, Core Preparation and Analysis Laboratory and Sample Repositories, Multi-Sensor Core Logger Laboratory, Sediment Lab Suite and Carbon Analysis Laboratory, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami Hazards, Modeling, and the Sedimentary Record

Basic research to develop the geologic record of paleotsunamis and improve the ability to interpret that record is needed to mitigate tsunami risk in the U.S.
Learn More
link
A mosque is left standing amid the rubble in Banda Aceh.

Tsunami and Earthquake Research

Here you will find general information on the science behind tsunami generation, computer animations of tsunamis, and summaries of past field studies.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami and Earthquake Research

Here you will find general information on the science behind tsunami generation, computer animations of tsunamis, and summaries of past field studies.
Learn More
link
A man stands in water on a beach, holding a rod with a measurement ruler marked on it, near partially submerged tree stumps.

Tsunami Field Studies

Our tsunami scientists work on international teams to study the aftermath of tsunamis around the world, to gain a better understanding the impact of potential tsunamis on coastal communities of the United States. Their work helps inform local, state, and federal coastal planning, protection, and resiliency.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami Field Studies

Our tsunami scientists work on international teams to study the aftermath of tsunamis around the world, to gain a better understanding the impact of potential tsunamis on coastal communities of the United States. Their work helps inform local, state, and federal coastal planning, protection, and resiliency.
Learn More
link
Illustration of coastline where a disturbance has caused the ocean water to begin rippling.

Preliminary Simulations of Recent Tsunamis

A collection of computer simulations of significant tsunamis.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
link

Preliminary Simulations of Recent Tsunamis

A collection of computer simulations of significant tsunamis.
Learn More

Preliminary simulations of the tsunami from the March 11, 2011 M=9.1 subduction zone earthquake offshore of Honshu, Japan.

For more information about the earthquake that caused this tsunami:

Please note that the program used to create these simulations does not model nonlinear and breaking effects as waves travel into shallow water (e.g., Sendai Bay).

 

Viewpoint north

Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation.

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Viewpoint south

Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation. 

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Close-up of the tsunami on the northern Honshu coast

Viewpoint looks to the south. Simulation shows first 2 hours of tsunami propagation.

A moving illustration that shows how a tsunami wave moves near the coastal area.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

See also, Notes From the Field

International Tsunami Survey Team visits Japan in May 2011, following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Next to a road, a tall, two-story structure stands heavily damaged and ripped to shreds with a smashed upside-down boat.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Damage as seen in Natori, Japan, in May 2011. The March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the east coast of Japan caused an epic tsunami. USGS scientist standing near the wrecked boat, and a car on the road, provide scale. Damage to the building indicates a 10-meter flow depth. Photo credit: Bruce Jaffe, USGS.

 

link
A home, severely damaged by the tsunami that hit Sumatra on December 26, 2004, sits atop debris.

Tsunami Hazards, Modeling, and the Sedimentary Record

Basic research to develop the geologic record of paleotsunamis and improve the ability to interpret that record is needed to mitigate tsunami risk in the U.S.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, 3-D CT Core Imaging Laboratory, Core Preparation and Analysis Laboratory and Sample Repositories, Multi-Sensor Core Logger Laboratory, Sediment Lab Suite and Carbon Analysis Laboratory, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami Hazards, Modeling, and the Sedimentary Record

Basic research to develop the geologic record of paleotsunamis and improve the ability to interpret that record is needed to mitigate tsunami risk in the U.S.
Learn More
link
A mosque is left standing amid the rubble in Banda Aceh.

Tsunami and Earthquake Research

Here you will find general information on the science behind tsunami generation, computer animations of tsunamis, and summaries of past field studies.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami and Earthquake Research

Here you will find general information on the science behind tsunami generation, computer animations of tsunamis, and summaries of past field studies.
Learn More
link
A man stands in water on a beach, holding a rod with a measurement ruler marked on it, near partially submerged tree stumps.

Tsunami Field Studies

Our tsunami scientists work on international teams to study the aftermath of tsunamis around the world, to gain a better understanding the impact of potential tsunamis on coastal communities of the United States. Their work helps inform local, state, and federal coastal planning, protection, and resiliency.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science
link

Tsunami Field Studies

Our tsunami scientists work on international teams to study the aftermath of tsunamis around the world, to gain a better understanding the impact of potential tsunamis on coastal communities of the United States. Their work helps inform local, state, and federal coastal planning, protection, and resiliency.
Learn More
link
Illustration of coastline where a disturbance has caused the ocean water to begin rippling.

Preliminary Simulations of Recent Tsunamis

A collection of computer simulations of significant tsunamis.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
link

Preliminary Simulations of Recent Tsunamis

A collection of computer simulations of significant tsunamis.
Learn More
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