Coastal Effects of Tsunamis (Seismic Sea Waves) Along the Gulf of Alaska

这个研究项目考虑了阿留申链上地震产生的海啸(长波海浪)，海啸在阿拉斯加湾的传播，以及延伸到海岸线的梯级。解决方案是通过一个综合的计算机模型来实现的。该项目涉及阿拉斯加大学海洋科学研究所、加拿大渔业和海洋部海洋科学研究所、以及位于阿拉斯加州帕尔默的国家海洋和大气管理局海啸预警中心。重点放在海啸传播的最后阶段，即海岸线上的爬升和回流。特别考虑了与湿区域和干区域之间的不连续、非线性、传播波与海底的摩擦，以及计算的不稳定性。其目的是开发一个强大的二维攀升模型，可以用来可靠地预测阿拉斯加和加拿大海岸的攀升程度。这些基本信息对海啸预警和预报特别有价值，对瓦尔迪兹、西沃德和荷马周围人口稠密的地区至关重要。

This research program considers the generation of a tsunami (a long wavelength ocean wave) by an earthquake along the Aleutian chain, the propagation of the tsunami across the Gulf of Alaska, and the runup on to the coastline. The solution is effected through a comprehensive computer model. The project involves a collaboration between the University of Alaska's Institute of Marine Science, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Institute of Ocean Sciences, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Tsunami Warning Center at Palmer, Alaska. Emphasis is given to the final stages of tsunami propagation, namely the runup on the shoreline, and the backwash. Special consideration is given to the hydrodynamical, mathematical, and numerical difficulties connected with the discontinuity between the wet and dry domains, nonlinearity, friction of the propagating wave with the ocean bottom, and computational instability. The aim is to develop a robust two- dimensional runup model which can be used to predict reliably the extent of runup along Alaskan and Canadian shores. This basic information is particularly valuable for tsunami warning and prediction, and is critical for the populated areas around Valdez, Seward, and Homer.