Statistical and numerical analysis of tsunami wave heights in confined waters

Abstract

Based on available data from tsunami occurrences in the Greek seas and in the Mediterranean, a statistical analysis has provided information on expected wave heights in the vicinity of the Rion-Antirrion Straits, for various probabilities of occurrence of a seismic event. The findings were compared with results obtained from a numerical model which solves the two-dimensional equations of continuity and linearized momentum. The comparison was satisfactory and indicates that the present model can simulate reliably tsunami waves, resulting from seismic events, in the off-shore regions of confined water bodies such as the Gulf of Corinth.