What is it about?
This paper introduces an advanced 3D modeling approach for understanding tsunamis generated by submarine landslides. Unlike traditional models, which often focus on tsunamis with simplified assumptions, this model captures the unique complexities of landslide-induced tsunamis, such as shorter wavelengths and stronger vertical displacement. Using the Navier-Stokes solver Splash3D, coupled with a novel fluid-solid interaction method, the model provides detailed insights into the wave formation and propagation from landslide events. This work aims to improve predictive capabilities and inform more effective disaster mitigation strategies for coastal areas vulnerable to landslide-triggered tsunamis.
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Why is it important?
Landslide-induced tsunamis differ from earthquake tsunamis in that they typically have shorter wavelengths and more pronounced vertical displacements within the water column. While earthquake tsunamis are often classified as shallow-water waves with relatively long wavelengths, landslide-induced tsunamis involve complex, localized disturbances that are harder to model due to the dynamic interaction between the sliding mass and the surrounding fluid. These interactions create rapidly changing flow patterns and pressure fields, which cannot be accurately captured by traditional two-dimensional models like the Shallow Water Equations (SWE). Instead, more sophisticated three-dimensional models are required to simulate the detailed fluid-solid interactions. This study was initiated to address limitations in existing models for simulating landslide-induced tsunamis, particularly challenges with fluid-solid interaction stability. Traditional models struggle with pressure stability, numerical instabilities, and time-step constraints due to discrepancies between fluid and solid interactions, especially in cases involving high volume fractions. By exploring recent advancements in the Moving Solid Algorithm and implementing two-way interaction methods, we aimed to improve pressure stability while preserving model accuracy. The new approach directly incorporates solid velocity into the flow field without requiring a physical solid, which minimizes the risk of pressure oscillations and allows for faster computations. This method offers a novel solution to previously encountered modeling challenges, which makes it highly suitable for advancing the study of landslide-induced tsunamis.
Perspectives
Our RFM model provides a precise and adaptable framework that can assess the impacts of landslide-triggered tsunamis on vulnerable coastal regions. The results of this study hold significant potential for improving tsunami risk assessment and response planning, particularly for landslide-induced events. One practical application of the model is simulating potential tsunami scenarios triggered by landslides, such as those in the offshore region near Guishan Island, located on Taiwan's eastern coast. This model could offer essential insights into Taiwan's disaster preparedness strategies by accurately capturing wave formation, run-up heights, and coastal impacts. Future work may expand the model to incorporate additional factors such as sediment transport, wave-current interactions, and wave-structure interactions. These enhancements would improve the model’s relevance for comprehensive risk mitigation planning, offering a more holistic understanding of tsunami impacts. Additionally, efforts will focus on improving computational efficiency to enable faster simulations, making it more practical for real-time risk assessment and response.
Yi-Xuan Huang
National Central University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A novel rigid-fluid method for landslide tsunami modeling, Physics of Fluids, December 2024, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0235710.
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