Spatially Varying Tidal Planes For Tsunami Hazard Assessment

2025 research proposes a technique for tsunami hazard assessments accommodating spatially varying Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) levels, demonstrated in the Gladstone region of Queensland, Australia. The method uses nested simulation grids with resolution down to 10 meters to resolve inundation and marine hazards. Presented at the 2025 Australasian Coasts & Ports Conference by researchers associated with the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Model tsunami inundation using spatially varying HAT levels (e.g., 1.4 m at Lady Elliot Island vs. 5.4 m near St Lawrence) instead of a single conservative tide.
• Compare probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment results at sites with markedly different HAT levels, such as Lady Elliot Island, South Trees, and Rosslyn Bay.
• Simulate tsunamis from four major earthquake source zones using nested grids with 10 m resolution to resolve coastal inundation patterns.
• Refine onshore evacuation plans by producing inundation extents derived from hydrodynamic models rather than heuristics.

Strengths

• Demonstrates method with a case study in the Gladstone region using high-resolution nested grids down to 10 m.
• Compares scenarios at three distinct sites with HAT levels ranging from 1.4 m to over 5.4 m.
• Leverages offshore scenarios and return periods from the 2018 Australian Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment.

Limitations

• Dataset scope is a single case study region (Gladstone), limiting generalizability without further application.
• Primary data format is a PDF conference paper, limiting direct machine-readability of underlying simulation data.
• Specific simulation parameters, row counts, and file sizes for model outputs are not provided.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Proposed hydrodynamic modeling technique using nested simulation grids.

Time Range

Methodology presented in 2025.

Freshness

Methodology presented in 2025; platform record updated in 2026.

Geography

Case study focused on Gladstone region, Queensland, Australia; references sites from Lady Elliot Island to St Lawrence.