Tsunamis (Seismic Sea Waves): An Investigation of Overland Flow and Wave-Structure Interaction

海啸是由脉冲地球物理事件（如地震）产生的海浪。历史上，夏威夷和阿拉斯加一直是美国受海啸影响的地区。本研究计划的目的是研究海啸对海岸线的冲击，海啸的陆地流动，以及它们与近岸地区结构的相互作用。具体而言，研究了：(1)海啸可能在岸线形成的浪涌坡面流的形态、运动特征和传播的滨向极限。(2)确定冲击浪涌对二维和三维结构施加的力和压力。这项调查的目的是通过提供所需的知识来减轻海啸的危害：改善海啸预警系统，估计海啸引起的浪涌的陆地流量，以及设计可能受到这种浪涌影响的海岸线附近的结构。

Tsunamis are ocean waves generated by an impulsive geophysical event, such as an earthquake. Historically, Hawaii and Alaska have been the areas of the U.S. affected by tsunami impact. The objective of this research program is to study the runup of a tsunami onto a coastline, the overland flow of tsunamis, and their interaction with structures located in the nearshore regions. Specifically, it is investigating: (1) The shape, kinematic characteristics and shoreward limit of propagation of the overland flow of the surge which may develop at the shoreline due to the tsunami. (2) The determination of the forces and pressures imposed on two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures by an impinging surge. This investigation is directed toward the mitigation of tsunami hazards by contributing to the knowledge needed: to improve tsunami warning systems, to estimate the overland flow of a tsunami-induced surge, and to design structures located near the shoreline which could be impacted by such a surge.