2016 Kaikura Earthquake Tsunami Simulation from Point and Finite Fault Source Models

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 1 - 10, 30.04.2019

Ergin Ulutaş , Beran Gürleme

Abstract

In this study, The numerical simulations of November 13, 2016
Kaikoura, New Zealand eaerthquake (M_w: 7.8) have been performed. The
earthquake occurred at a depth of 15
km at the transition between the Alpine fault in the South Island and the Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone. The
approximation of non-linear long wave equations is performed and adopted to simulate
tsunami propagations with an initial displacement of the ocean bottom
deformation due to faulting. Co-seismic source models proposed by United States
Geological Survey (USGS) are further used to represent the effects of various
slip models on tsunami prediction along the coastal regions of New Zealand. The
maximum value of the initial heights are calculated as 1.18 and -0.2 meters for uplift
and subsidence areas from uni-form point source models. However, these maximum
values are 1.01 and -0.1
meters from finite-fault source models. We have also
compared our simulated tsunami waveforms with the observed tide gauge records.
The results show that non-uniform slip models could be more effective in
prediction of the tsunami heights compared to uniform slip models where the
earthquakes involve complex rupures as in Kaikoura earthquake.   

Keywords

Finite fault, point source, fault parameters, tsunami simulation, tide gauges

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