Science of Tsunami Hazards (Jan 2006)
WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY FUNCTION FOR LARGE TSUNAMI WAVES?
Abstract
Most coastal locations have few if any records of tsunami wave heights obtained over various time periods. Still one sees reference to the 100- year and 500-year tsunamis. In fact, in the USA, FEMA requires that at all coastal regions, those wave heights due to tsunamis and hurricanes be specified. The same is required for stream flooding at any location where stream flooding is possible. How are the 100 and 500-year tsunami wave and stream flooding heights predicted and how defensible are they? This paper discusses these questions.
