Analytical and numerical studies for wave generated by submarine landslide

Abstract

In this research, we investigate how submarine landslides are able to produce extremely damaging tsunami waves and estimate the maximum height of the waves in question using a mathematical model. The model is based on the non-linear shallow water equations, which are solved numerically using the finite volume method on a staggered grid. We also derive a new analytical solution in order to obtain a description of surface waves generated by a submarine landslide. To validate the numerical model, several benchmark tests are conducted by comparing the results from the numerical scheme to those obtained from the analytical solution, experimental data, or other numerical results. After validation, the scheme is implemented on the real topography of Palu Bay to simulate the generation of tsunami waves by submarine landslides. The simulations provide excellent results. Accurate estimates of the maximum tsunami wave amplitude are produced by the numerical scheme, confirmed by data from records of the 2018 Palu tsunami.

Keywords

• Submarine landslides
• Non-linear shallow water equations
• Staggered finite volume
• Analytical solution
• Generated tsunami waves