The Sea, Volume 15: Tsunamis

by Eddie N. Bernard (Editor), Allan R. Robinson (Editor)

Overview

With the recent catastrophe in Indonesia, the topic of tsunamis could not be more timely. This book, volume fifteen in a distinguished series surveying the frontiers of ocean science and research, looks at every aspect of the current science of tsunamis. The world’s foremost experts write about the dynamics of geophysical processes involved in tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation, along with the statistical and geophysical properties of tsunami recurrence, and their application to tsunami forecasts and warnings. Together, their work constitutes the first comprehensive overview of a topic of paramount importance in ocean science today. Coinciding with the recent completion of the United States, enhanced tsunami warning program—which will provide an unprecedented volume of data on tsunamis in the deep ocean—this book will help crystallize a research agenda and foster the study of this critical issue in our understanding of the sea.

In the manifold, multidisciplinary efforts of science to understand and manage our planet, contemporary ocean science plays an essential role. This new volume in the series The Sea advances these efforts with a clear focus on one of the ocean’s more significant deadly phenomena.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674031739
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	01/31/2009
Series:	The Sea , #15
Pages:	462
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Eddie N. Bernard is Scientist Emeritus and former Director of the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington, and Vice President for Research at Survival Capsule, LLC. Recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in tsunami science and mitigation, he has directed the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, founded the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, provided technical review of the 2006 Tsunami Education and Warning Act, and published over 80 technical and scientific articles on tsunamis.

Allan R. Robinson was Gordon McKay Professor of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Emeritus, at Harvard University. Recognized as a pioneer and leading expert in modern interdisciplinary ocean dynamics and ocean prediction, he contributed significantly to the techniques for the assimilation of multiscale data into ocean forecasting models and chairs the IOC/UNESCO COASTS program.

Table of Contents

• Contents

• Tsunamis

• Preface
• Contributors
• Editorial Advisory Panel and External Reviewers

1. Introduction: Emergent Findings and New Directions in Tsunami Science

   Eddie N. Bernard and Allan R. Robinson

2. Tsunami History: Recorded

   Viacheslav K. Gusiakov

3. Geologic Effects and Records of Tsunamis

   Joanne Bourgeois

4. Tsunami Probability

   Eric L. Geist, Tom Parsons, Uri S. ten Brink and Homa J. Lee

5. Excitation of Tsunamis by Earthquakes

   Emile A. Okal

6. Tsunami Generation: Other Sources

   Galen R. Gisler

7. Tsunami Measurements

   Harold O. Mofjeld

8. Tsunami Modeling: Development of Benchmarked Models

   Costas E. Synolakis and Utku Kanoglu

9. Tsunami Modeling: Propagation

   Philip L.-F. Liu

10. Tsunami Modeling: Inundation

    Fumihiko Imamura

11. Tsunami Impacts on Coastlines

    Harry Yeh

12. Tsunami Forecasting

    Vasily V. Titov

13. Tsunami Warning Systems

    Paul M. Whitmore

• Index

Editorial Reviews

Knowledge of the field of tsunami oceanography has dramatically increased since the December 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami. This rare book eminently provides an excellent basis of scientific and technical information in this neglected field. Eighteen outstanding scientists and engineers contributed 13 chapters on critical core subjects. Topics include recorded tsunami history, geologic records and effects, tsunami probabilities, earthquake excitation, and other sources of tsunamis. The book also addresses measurements, models for propagation, hazards mapping, coastline impacts, forecasting, and warning systems. Each chapter ends with a long list of comprehensive references. Mathematical equations and explanations appropriately support the text, and charts, graphs, and photographs clearly add value and strength to this young, complex field of oceanography. This outstanding, unparalleled volume will contribute to the educational needs of the tsunami science and engineering student as well as the advanced researcher and veteran oceanographer.

Choice - T. L. T. Grose

Knowledge of the field of tsunami oceanography has dramatically increased since the December 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami. This rare book eminently provides an excellent basis of scientific and technical information in this neglected field. Eighteen outstanding scientists and engineers contributed 13 chapters on critical core subjects. Topics include recorded tsunami history, geologic records and effects, tsunami probabilities, earthquake excitation, and other sources of tsunamis. The book also addresses measurements, models for propagation, hazards mapping, coastline impacts, forecasting, and warning systems. Each chapter ends with a long list of comprehensive references. Mathematical equations and explanations appropriately support the text, and charts, graphs, and photographs clearly add value and strength to this young, complex field of oceanography. This outstanding, unparalleled volume will contribute to the educational needs of the tsunami science and engineering student as well as the advanced researcher and veteran oceanographer.
— T. L. T. Grose

Choice