Field Survey and Numerical Simulation on 2007 Solomon Islands Earthquake Tsunami

Abstract

The Solomon Islands Earthquake Tsunami was generated by a big earthquake of M8.1 on 2 April 2007, and caused severe damages particularly in western islands of the Solomon Islands, resulting in the death toll of 52. To understand tsunami characteristics and damages, a field survey was conducted. Measured tsunami inundation height was approximately 4-5 m at the north part of Simbo Island and at the south coast of Ghizo Island. Human losses were, however, mitigated by residents' evacuation to hills and high-floored houses soon after the earthquake occurrenceand as soon as they watched the tsunami travelling in the offshore. Numerical simulations were also conducted to estimate and understand the tsunami. The effect of reefs in coastal areas was additionally investigated from the numerical simulations.