Method of calculating tsunami travel times in the Andaman Sea region.
A new model to calculate tsunami travel times in the Andaman Sea region has been developed. The model specifically provides more accurate travel time estimates for tsunamis propagating to Patong Beach on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand. More generally, the model provides better understanding of the influence of the accuracy and resolution of bathymetry data on the accuracy of travel time calculations. The dynamic model is based on solitary wave theory, and a lookup function is used to perform bilinear interpolation of bathymetry along the ray trajectory. The model was calibrated and verified using data from an echosounder record, tsunami photographs, satellite altimetry records, and eyewitness accounts of the tsunami on 26 December 2004. Time differences for 12 representative targets in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean regions were calculated. The model demonstrated satisfactory time differences (<2 min/h), despite the use of low resolution bathymetry (ETOPO2v2). To improve accuracy, the dynamics of wave elevation and a velocity correction term must be considered, particularly for calculations in the nearshore region.
Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
Monte
M
Kietpawpan
Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
Parichart
P
Visuthismajarn
Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla90112, Thailand.
Charlchai
C
Tanavud
Environmental and Occupational Health Division, UMDNJ-School of Public Health, and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station-Rutgers University, 88 Lipman Drive, Martin Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Mark G
MG
Robson
Bathymetry error; ETOPO2v2; ETOPO5; System dynamics; Tsunami evacuation time; Tsunami travel time