Chapter 10 - Lessons from the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami: implications for Paleotsunami research

Abstract

Providing a wealth of geophysical and geological data, the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami offered a rare opportunity to advance research on tsunami sedimentology. In this chapter, six key findings, presented in the form of lessons learned, are identified based on a review of recent studies on the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami and other relevant literature:1.limitations posed when using marine materials as evidence for tsunami inundation;2.the larger extent and lower preservation potential associated with offshore tsunami deposits;3.possible false dating of paleotsunami events due to tsunami-induced erosion;4.uncertainty associated with tsunami inundation distances deduced from deposit extent;5.spatial variability in deposit thickness and its relation to flow depth;6.challenges associated with estimating the size and extent of earthquakes based on tsunami deposits.