Evaluation of Tsunami Risk at the Southwest Coast of the Iberian Peninsula

by Anastasia Damaskinidou-Georgiadou, Aristotle Univ of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,
William J. Johnson, Aristotle Univ of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

The southwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula has a long history of being affected by tsunami waves. The tsunami risk analysis carried out for this area included the compilation of a catalog of historical tsunami events observed and the development of an easily applicable methodology for estimating the distribution of probable tsunami wave heights along the coast. This methodology involves the selection of the most critical tsunami source area, the evaluation of its seismotectonic characteristics, the generation of the tsunami wave at the source and the propagation of the wave towards the coast. The analysis was verified against the waves measured during a recent tsunami in the area and applied to compute wave heights which can be developed due to an earthquake similar to the 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake which produced extensive damage along the southwest Iberian coast.

Subject Headings: Tsunamis | Water waves | Wave propagation | Ocean waves | Risk management | Seismic tests | Wave generation | Portugal | Europe

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