Simulated volcano-induced tsunamis improve natural disaster models

Underwater volcanic eruptions can trigger deadly and unpredictable tsunamis that can threaten millions of coastal residents. The disastrous tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions in Anak Krakatau in 2018 and Tonga in 2022 exemplify the importance of understanding these natural disasters.

To study how volcano-induced tsunami waves propagate, Liu and Fritz built a volcanic tsunami generator in a wave basin. The data from more than three hundred experiments on their tsunami simulator will inform tsunami models used in future events.

“Tsunami models are essential for tsunami risk assessment, hazard mitigation, and coastal engineering design,” said author Yibin Liu. “They play a vital role in saving lives, protecting infrastructure, and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities.”

When an underwater volcano erupts, it abruptly moves a significant amount of water due to the explosion, eruptive column, pyroclastic flow, flank collapse, or caldera formation. This sudden displacement of water incites powerful waves.

The authors recreated a range of different volcanic conditions in a large wave basin using their unique pneumatic volcanic tsunami generator.

“The tsunami waves are generated by sending a vertical column of water above the still water surface,” Liu said. “The water surface deformation during the tsunami generation process was measured with cameras and wave gauges.”

During tsunami generation, the authors observed a violent spike of water, thrusted high into the air. By characterizing the spike and other parameters of the tsunami, their 3D data will aid researchers in investigating tsunamic wave propagation and inform life-saving tsunami models.

Source: “Physical modeling of spikes during the volcanic tsunami generation,” by Yibin Liu and Hermann Fritz, Physics of Fluids (2023). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0147970 .

This paper is part of the Physics and Modelling of Tsunamis Collection, learn more here .