Step 2: Designating a theoretical Tsunami.
- ASSUMPTION OF A THEORETICAL TSUNAMI - A theoretical tsunami can be designed using two main sources of information: a. Data from the largest past tsunami (as identified by relatively precise high water marks or geological evidence). Estimating highest water levels is necessary, but insufficient without an accompanying estimated arrival time of the tsunami (determined by the distance between the wave source and the coastline in question), and an evacuation time for people, ships and boats; b. Recent seismic (or earthquake) data relating to the possible generation of tsunamis along specific coasts. It is worth noting that the largest earthquake does not necessarily generate the largest tsunami; even a relatively small magnitude earthquake can provoke a tsunami. Therefore, evaluations of an earthquake’s epicentre, scale, depth and location, energy direction and displacement of fault motion are used in designing a theoretical tsunami. A special note on distant tsu...