A new methodology for performing large scale simulations of tsunami generated by deformable submarine slides
File(s)DeformableSlides_revisions_010720 (1).pdf (8.42 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Smith, Rebecca C
Hill, Jon
Mouradian, Simon L
Piggott, Matthew D
Collins, Gareth S
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Large tsunamis can be generated by submarine slides, but these events are rare on human timescales and challenging to observe. Experiments and numerical modelling offer methods to understand the mechanisms by which they generate waves and what the potential hazard might be. However, to fully capture the complex waveform generated by a submarine slide, the slide dynamics must also be accurately modelled. It is computationally difficult to model both a three-dimensional submarine slide whilst simultaneously simulating oceanic-scale tsunamis. Past studies have either coupled localised models of the slide generation to oceanic-scale tsunami simulations or simplified the slide dynamics. Here, we present a new methodology of model coupling that generates the wave in the ocean-scale model via boundary-condition coupling of a two-dimensional dynamic slide simulation. We verify our coupling methodology by comparing model results to a previous simulation of a tsunamigenic slide in the Gulf of Mexico. We then examine the effect of slide deformation on the risk posed by hypothetical submarine slides around the UK. We show the deformable submarine slide simulations produce larger waves than the solid slide simulations due to the details of acceleration and velocity of the slide, although lateral spreading is not modelled. This work offers a new methodology for simulating oceanic-scale tsunamis caused by submarine slides using the output of a two–dimensional, multi-material simulation as input into a three–dimensional ocean model. This facilitates future exploration of the tsunami risk posed by tsunamigenic submarine slides that affect coastlines not normally prone to tsunamis.
Date Issued
2020-09-01
Date Acceptance
2020-07-14
Citation
Ocean Modelling, 2020, 153, pp.1-56
ISSN
1463-5003
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
56
Journal / Book Title
Ocean Modelling
Volume
153
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1463500320301761?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
NE/K000047/1
Subjects
Oceanography
0405 Oceanography
0911 Maritime Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 101674
Date Publish Online
2020-07-29