Suleimani, E.N.
Nicolsky, D.J.
West, D.A.
Combellick, R.A.
Hansen, R.A.
2010
Tsunami inundation maps of Seward and northern Resurrection Bay, Alaska
report, maps, digital-data
Report of Investigation
RI 2010-1
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
47 p., 3 sheets, scale 1:12,500.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/21001
The purpose of this study is to evaluate tsunami hazard for the community of Seward and northern Resurrection Bay area, Alaska. This report will provide guidance to local emergency managers in tsunami hazard assessment. We used a numerical modeling method to estimate the extent of inundation by tsunami waves generated from earthquake and landslide sources. Our tsunami scenarios included a repeat of the tsunami of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, as well as tsunami waves generated by two hypothetical Yakataga Gap earthquakes in northeastern Gulf of Alaska, hypothetical earthquakes in Prince William Sound and Kodiak asperities of the 1964 rupture, and local underwater landslides in Resurrection Bay. Results of numerical modeling combined with historical observations in the region are intended to help local emergency officials with evacuation planning and public education for reducing future tsunami risk.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate tsunami hazard for the community of Seward and northern Resurrection Bay area, Alaska. This report will provide guidance to local emergency managers in tsunami hazard assessment. We used a numerical modeling method to estimate the extent of inundation by tsunami waves generated from earthquake and landslide sources. Our tsunami scenarios included a repeat of the tsunami of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, as well as tsunami waves generated by two hypothetical Yakataga Gap earthquakes in northeastern Gulf of Alaska, hypothetical earthquakes in Prince William Sound and Kodiak asperities of the 1964 rupture, and local underwater landslides in Resurrection Bay. Results of numerical modeling combined with historical observations in the region are intended to help local emergency officials with evacuation planning and public education for reducing future tsunami risk.
The DGGS metadata standard extends the FGDC standard to include elements that are required to facilitate our internal data management. These elements, referred to as "layers," group and describe files that have intrinsic logical or topological relationships and correspond to subdirectories within the data distribution package. The metadata layer provides the metadata or other documentation files. Attribute information for each data layer is described in this metadata file under the "Entity_and_Attribute_Information" section. Data layer contents:
>max-flow-depth: Raster image depicting maximum composite flow depths over dry land.
>hypothetical-composite-line: Estimated, "maximum credible scenario" inundation line that encompasses the maximum extent of flooding based on model simulation of all credible source scenarios and historical observations. The "maximum credible scenario" inundation line becomes a basis for local tsunami hazard planning and development of evacuation maps.
>observed-1964-inundation: Maximum observed tsunami runup in downtown Seward and at the head of Resurrection Bay in 1964
>tectonic-scenario-01: Scenario 1. Repeat of the 1964 event: Source function based on the coseismic deformation model (SDM) by Suito and Freymueller (2009)
>tectonic-scenario-02: Scenario 2. Modified 1964 event: Prince William Sound asperity of the SDM
>tectonic-scenario-03: Scenario 3. Modified 1964 event: Kodiak asperity of the SDM
>tectonic-scenario-04: Scenario 4. Hypothetical event: Rupture of the Pamplona zone between the Yakutat block and the North American plate
>landslide-scenario-05: Scenario 5. Waves generated by three major underwater slide complexes of the 1964 earthquake - Seward downtown slide, Lowell Point slide, and Fourth of July slide
>landslide-scenario-06: Scenario 6. Hypothetical event: Simultaneous underwater slope failures at four locations where sediment accumulated since 1964
>landslide-scenario-07: Scenario 7. Hypothetical event: Simultaneous underwater slope failures at four locations where sediment accumulated since 1964, with added sediment volumes
2009
2010
publication date
None planned
-149.446620
-149.338484
60.145937
60.059484
ISO 19115 Topic Category
geoscientificInformation
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Coastal and River
Earthquake
Earthquake Related Slope Failure
Emergency Preparedness
Engineering
Engineering Geology
Fault Displacement
Faulting
Faults
Flood
Geologic Hazards
Geology
Inundation
Landslide
Modeling
Seismic Hazards
Slides
Slope
Slope Instability
Surface
Tides
Tsunami
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai Peninsula Borough Coastal District
Resurrection Bay
Seward
Southcentral Alaska
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
This dataset includes results of numerical modeling of earthquake-generated tsunami waves for a specific community. Modeling was completed using the best information and tsunami modeling software available at the time of analysis. They are numerical solutions and, while they are believed to be accurate, their ultimate accuracy during an actual tsunami will depend on the specifics of earth deformations, on-land construction, tide level, and other parameters at the time of the tsunami. Actual areas of inundation may differ from areas shown in this dataset. Landslide tsunami sources may not be included in the modeling due to unknown potential impact of such events on a given community; please refer to accompanying report for more information on tsunami sources used for this study. The limits of inundation shown should only be used as a general guideline for emergency planning and response action in the event of a major tsunamigenic earthquake. These results are not intended for any other use, including land-use regulation or actuarial purposes. Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
GIS Manager
mailing and physical
3354 College Road
Fairbanks
AK
99709-3707
USA
(907)451-5020
dggsgis@alaska.gov
8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
This project was supported by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants 27-014d and 06-028a through Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research. Numerical calculations for this work were supported by a grant of High Performance Computing (HPC) resources from the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center (ARSC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as part of the U.S. Department of Defense HPC Modernization Program. We thank Dr. Robert C. Witter and Dr. Aggeliki Barberopoulou for their thoughtful reviews of the draft manuscript and maps.
Nicolsky, D.J.
Suleimani, E.N.
Combellick, R.A.
Hansen, R.A.
2011
Tsunami inundation maps of Whittier and western Passage Canal, Alaska
Report of Investigation
RI 2011-7
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
65 p
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/23244
Nicolsky, D.J.
Suleimani, E.N.
Haeussler, P.J.
Ryan, H.F.
Koehler, R.D.
Combellick, R.A.
Hansen, R.A.
2013
Tsunami inundation maps of Port Valdez, Alaska
Report of Investigation
RI 2013-1
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
77 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:12,500
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/25055
Suleimani, E.N.
Combellick, R.A.
Marriott, D.
Hansen, R.A.
Venturato, A.J.
Newman, J.C.
2005
Tsunami hazard maps of the Homer and Seldovia areas, Alaska
Report of Investigation
RI 2005-2
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
28 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:12,500
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/14474
Suleimani, E.N.
Hansen, R.A.
Combellick, R.A.
Carver, G.A.
2002
Tsunami hazard maps of the Kodiak area, Alaska
Report of Investigation
RI 2002-1
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
16 p., 4 sheets, scale 1:12,500
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/2860
Suleimani, E.N.
Nicolsky, D.J.
Koehler, R.D.
2013
Tsunami inundation maps of Sitka, Alaska
Report of Investigation
RI 2013-3
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
76 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/26671
The extent of inundation caused by hypothetical future tsunami waves was calculated using numerical modeling of tsunami wave propagation and runup. The final, highest resolution grid of the northern Resurrection Bay, where the inundation extent was calculated, has a spacing of 15 meters. Although the location of the inundation line has an accuracy of approximately plus or minus 15 m horizontally relative to the grid spacing, the true location accuracy is unknown, because of the complex modeling process the accuracy depends on many factors. These factors include correctness of the earthquake source model, accuracy of the bathymetric and topographic data, soil compaction in areas of unconsolidated deposits and the adequacy of the numerical model in representing the generation, propagation, and run-up of tsunami waves. Actual areas inundated will depend on specifics of earth deformations, on-land construction, and tide level, and may differ from areas shown on the map. The limits of inundation shown should only be used as a guideline for emergency planning and response action. The information is intended to permit state and local agencies to plan emergency evacuation and tsunami response actions in the event of a major tsunamigenic event. These files are not intended for land-use regulation, property valuation, or any use other than the stated purpose. Users should review the accompanying report, particularly the Sources of Errors and Uncertainties section, for a detailed discussion of limitations of the methods used to generate the various inundation models.
Results of numerical modeling were verified by simulating historic tsunamis. Inundation lines are visually inspected using GIS software for identification of anomalous elevations or data inconsistencies. See text report for detailed explanation of the tests used to determine the fidelity among the various data sources that were used to generate this dataset.
The dataset contains tsunami inundation limits for 4 tectonic and 3 landslide source scenarios, the 1964 observed inundation limit, and the composite maximum extent of inundation. The inundation limits are results of numerical modeling of tsunami waves with the use of shallow water equations. We conducted all hypothetical model runs using bathymetric data that correspond to Mean High Water so that the resulting maximum inundation line represents a maximum credible scenario of tsunami occurrence at high tide. The model does not take into account the periodical change of sea level due to tides, but it does include the effect of local uplift or subsidence during the earthquake. The data used to calculate the potential extent of tsunami inundation includes: high-resolution topography and bathymetry of Resurrection Bay, historic records of the 1964 inundation line at Seward, historic seismicity measurements, pre- and post-1964 bathymetry difference map of Resurrection Bay, and related tectonic geometry. The northern part of Resurrection Bay has been studied in great detail and we feel that the density of available information is sufficient to allow for confidence in our interpretations of likely extents of tsunami inundation.
The extent of tsunami inundation in Seward was calculated through numerical modeling of water waves over realistic bathymetry and topography. The input data for the tsunami model includes the combined topographic and bathymetric DEM of 15-m resolution described in the USGS Digital Data Series 374, "Combined High-Resolution LIDAR Topography and Multibeam Bathymetry for Northern Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska," by Keith A. Labay and Peter J. Haeussler. According to the corresponding metadata file, the horizontal accuracy of this DEM has not been tested. We conducted all model runs using bathymetric data that correspond to Mean High Water (MHW), with the exception of numerical modeling of the 1964 tsunami for the purpose of model validation. Those runs were conducted using the stage of tide at the time of the earthquake, approximately Mean Low Water.
Labay, K.A.
Haeussler, P.J.
2008
Combined high-resolution LIDAR topography and multibeam bathymetry for northern Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska
Data Series
DS 374
United States
U.S. Geological Survey
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/23569
http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/374/
digital data
2008
publication date
Labay, K.A. and Haeussler, P.J., 2008
development of nested grids
Nicolsky, D.J
Suleimani, E.N
Hansen, R.A
2011
Validation and verification of a numerical model for tsunami propagation and runup
Pure and Applied Geophysics
v. 168
Switzerland
Birkhauser Geoscience
paper
2011
publication date
Nicolsky, D.J and others, 2011
model validation
Suito, Hisashi
Freymueller, J.T
2010
A viscoelastic and afterslip postseismic deformation model for the 1964 Alaska earthquake
Journal of Geophysical Research
v. 114, no. B11
Washington, DC, United States
American Geophysical Union
paper
2010
publication date
Suito, Hisashi and Freymueller, J.T, 2010
model verification
Suleimani, E.N.
Haeussler, P.J.
Hansen, R.A.
2009
Numerical study of tsunami generated by multiple submarine slope failures in Resurrection Bay, Alaska, during the M9.2 1964 earthquake
Pure and Applied Geophysics
v. 166
Switzerland
Birkhauser Geoscience
paper
2009
publication date
Suleimani, E.N. and others, 2009
model verification
Lemke, R.W.
1967
Effects of the earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Seward, Alaska
Professional Paper
P 542-E
United States
U.S. Geological Survey
p. E1-E43, 2 sheets, scale 1:63,360
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/3881
63360
paper
1967
publication date
Lemke, R.W., 1967
model verification
Development of nested grids - To support inundation modeling of coastal areas in Alaska, we used a series of nested telescoping grids, or digital elevation models (DEMs), as input layers for tsunami inundation modeling and mapping. These grids of increasing resolution allow us to propagate waves generated by both distant and local sources to Resurrection Bay. These grids of increasing resolution allowed us to propagate waves generated by both distant and local sources to Passage Canal. In order to propagate a wave from its source to various coastal locations we used embedded grids, placing a large, coarse grid in deep water and coupling it with smaller, finer grids in shallow water areas. See Methodology and data section of this report for more detail and additional data source information.
Labay, K.A. and Haeussler, P.J., 2008
2009
Model validation - The numerical model that was used for simulation of tsunami wave propagation and runup was validated through a set of analytical benchmarks, and tested against laboratory data. The model solves nonlinear shallow water equations using a finite-difference method on a staggered grid. See Methodology and data section of this report for more detail and additional model information.
Nicolsky, D.J and others, 2011
2009
Model verification - We performed the verification of the numerical model using observations of the 1964 tsunami. We compared results of inundation modeling in Resurrection Bay with observations collected shortly after the event. First, we simulated tsunami waves generated by multiple submarine slope failures using a numerical model of a viscous slide coupled with a numerical model for water waves. Then, we simulated the tectonic tsunami in Resurrection Bay using an output of a coseismic deformation model of the 1964 earthquake as an initial condition for water waves. The composite inundation zone was compared with the observed extent of inundation in Seward and at the head of Resurrection Bay. See Methodology and data and Modeling results sections of this report for more detail and additional model information.
Suito, Hisashi and Freymueller, J.T, 2010
Suleimani, E.N. and others, 2009
Lemke, R.W., 1967
2009
Numerical simulations of hypothetical tsunami scenarios - We evaluate hazard related to tectonic and landslide-generated tsunamis in Resurrection Bay by performing model simulations for each hypothetical earthquake and landslide source scenario. Numerical results for each scenario include extent of inundation, sea level and velocity time series, tsunami flow depth and maximum drag force. See "Modeling results" section of this report for more detail and additional information.
2009
Compilation of maximum inundation zone and maximum flow depths - We calculated maximum composite extent of potential inundation by combining the maximum calculated inundation extents of all scenarios. The same method was used for calculation of maximum flow depths over dry land. See Modeling results section of the associated manuscript for more detail and additional information.
2010
Calculation of the potential inundation lines - For each grid cell in the high-resolution DEM, we found whether this cell was inundated by waves or stayed dry through out the entire simulation. Then, we defined a function that provides a value that is equal to one at the center of each wet cell and is equal to negative one at the center of each dry cell. Using a linear interpolation algorithm in Matlab, we plotted a zero-value contour that delineates dry and wet cells from each other. The contour line was then directly exported to the ArcGIS in the WGS84 datum.
2010
shapefiles were updated to correct positional errors
2016
Raster images depicting maximum composite flow depths over dry land were added to the digital data distribution package.
2016
vector
World Geodetic System of 1984
World Geodetic System of 1984
6378137
298.257223563
ri2010-1-max-flow-depth.tif
Raster images depicting maximum composite flow depths over dry land.
Alaska Earthquake Center, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, this report
max-flow-depth
ri2010-1-hypothetical-composite-line
Estimated, "maximum credible scenario" inundation line that encompasses the maximum extent of flooding based on model simulation of all credible source scenarios and historical observations. The "maximum credible scenario" inundation line becomes a basis for local tsunami hazard planning and development of evacuation maps. File format: shapefile
This report
hypothetical-composite-line
ri2010-1-observed-1964-inundation
Maximum observed tsunami runup in downtown Seward and at the head of Resurrection Bay in 1964. File format: shapefile
This report and Lemke, 1967
observed-1964-inundation
ri2010-1-tectonic-scenario-01
Scenario 1. Repeat of the 1964 event: Source function based on coseismic deformation model (SDM) by Suito and Freymueller (2009). File format: shapefile
This report
tectonic-scenario-01
ri2010-1-tectonic-scenario-02
Scenario 2. Modified 1964 event: Prince William Sound asperity of the SDM. File format: shapefile
This report
tectonic-scenario-02
ri2010-1-tectonic-scenario-03
Scenario 3. Modified 1964 event: Kodiak asperity of the SDM. File format: shapefile
This report
tectonic-scenario-03
ri2010-1-tectonic-scenario-04
Scenario 4. Hypothetical event: Rupture of the Pamplona zone between the Yakutat block and the North American plate. File format: shapefile
This report
tectonic-scenario-04
ri2010-1-landslide-scenario-05
Scenario 5. Waves generated by three major underwater slide complexes of the 1964 earthquake - Seward downtown slide, Lowell Point slide, and Fourth of July slide. File format: shapefile
This report
landslide-scenario-05
ri2010-1-landslide-scenario-06
Scenario 6. Hypothetical event: Simultaneous underwater slope failures at four locations where sediment accumulated since 1964. File format: shapefile
This report
landslide-scenario-06
ri2010-1-landslide-scenario-07
Scenario 7. Hypothetical event: Simultaneous underwater slope failures at four locations where sediment accumulated since 1964, with added sediment volumes. File format: shapefile
This report
landslide-scenario-07
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
mailing and physical
3354 College Road
Fairbanks
AK
99709-3707
USA
(907)451-5020
(907)451-5050
dggspubs@alaska.gov
8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Please view our website (http://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
RI 2010-1
The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
DGGS publications are available as free online downloads or you may purchase paper hard-copies or digital files on CD/DVD or other digital storage media by mail, phone, fax, or email from the DGGS Fairbanks office. To purchase this or other printed reports and maps, contact DGGS by phone (907-451-5020), e-mail (dggspubs@alaska.gov), or fax (907-451-5050). Payment accepted: Cash, check, money order, VISA, or MasterCard. Turnaround time is 1-2 weeks unless special arrangements are made and an express fee is paid. Shipping charge will be the actual cost of postage and will be added to the total amount due. Contact us for the exact shipping amount.
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Vector data shapefiles
http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/21001
Free download
20161007
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Metadata Manager
mailing and physical
3354 College Road
Fairbanks
AK
99709-3707
USA
(907)451-5020
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
If the user has modified the data in any way they are obligated to describe the types of modifications they have performed in the supporting metadata file. User specifically agrees not to imply that changes they made were approved by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources or Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys.
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/metadata/dggs.ext
dggs metadata extensions