Tsunami Inundation Model Validation Benchmark For 2004 Indian Ocean Event

A 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami benchmark validates all three stages of tsunami evolution—generation, propagation, and inundation. The benchmark uses geodetic earthquake measurements, satellite altimetry, eyewitness accounts, and a detailed inundation survey of Patong Bay, Thailand. It was created by the Australian Ocean Data Network and published as an external scientific journal paper.

Use Cases

• Validate tsunami source models using geodetic measurements of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake.
• Test open ocean tsunami propagation models against satellite altimetry data from the Jason satellite.
• Assess near-shore wave propagation and run-up using eyewitness account data.
• Compare simulated inundation extent against detailed survey data from Patong Bay, Thailand.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis on model parameters like friction and wave height at the 100m depth contour.

Strengths

• Benchmark validates all three stages of tsunami evolution: generation, propagation, and inundation.
• Incorporates multiple observational data sources: geodetic, satellite, eyewitness, and ground survey.
• Includes sensitivity analysis on key model parameters like friction and wave height.

Limitations

• Dataset size, row count, and specific file formats are unknown.
• Focus is on a single historical event (2004 Indian Ocean tsunami), limiting generalizability.
• Primary data access appears to be via an HTML publication, not a structured data file.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data.gov.au.

Collection Method

Data compiled from geodetic measurements, satellite altimetry (Jason), eyewitness accounts, and a ground survey.

Time Range

2004 (Indian Ocean tsunami event).

Freshness

Last updated metadata indicates 2026-04-04, but the underlying study is based on a 2004 event.

Geography

Indian Ocean, with specific focus on Patong Bay, Thailand.