TSUNAMI PROPAGATION IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, USA

Abstract

The present paper investigates the propagation of potential tsunamis in the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay, located on the east coast of the U.S., is one of the largest estuaries in the world. The U.S. east coast traditionally is believed to be an area free from tsunami impacts. However, historical data and recent research has indicated that the threats of large tsunamis affecting the area cannot be completely discounted. In this study, a summary of tsunamigenic sources and source mechanisms that may affect the Chesapeake Bay region is presented along with simulations of tsunamis propagating inside the bay. The simulations are performed based on a description of incoming tsunami amplitude at the bay entrance and using two-dimensional depth-averaged numerical models. Two models are developed using the linear shallow water equations with Boussinesq approximation and nonlinear shallow water equations with bottom friction. Model results indicate that incoming tsunami waves would dissipate rapidly as they propagate up the shallow bay. The first tsunami wave would reach the mouth of the Potomac River, nearly at the middle of the bay, about 3 hours after the first tsunami wave enters the bay.