Tsunami deposits in tropical regions: A review

Abstract

Tsunami deposits provide evidence of historical and prehistorical events. However, their preservation in tropical regions is generally poor. The reasons behind this poor preservation are often linked to a number of environmental and anthropogenic factors. This study is focused on analyzing the environmental factors that impact the preservation and availability of tsunami deposits specifically in tropical regions. These factors predominantly encompass climate-related elements such as consistently high temperatures, rainfall, humidity, as well as specific soil processes, oceanic conditions, and vegetation. We compiled a comprehensive database of scientific publications on tsunami deposits, identifying the geomorphic environments where such deposits are typically preserved, as well as the commonly utilized proxies in studying tsunami deposits across different climatic zones. We propose a model that outlines the environmental factors, processes, and their interrelationships that contribute to the preservation and availability of tsunami deposits in tropical regions. This model may prove valuable in the future identification of tsunami deposits in tropical areas.