Sediment deposition from a tsunami

Deposition of sediment by a tsunami is governed by two basic processes. In the first process, deposition occurs through gradients in transport (more sediment goes into an area than comes out). Deposition also occurs by sediment falling out of suspension. USGS scientists use data from the Peruvian tsunami sedimentary deposits to determine which process is dominant. This aids in the development of sediment transport models that may be used to determine the wave height and flow velocity of the tsunami.