High tsunami frequency as a result of combined strike-slip faulting and coastal landslides

Hornbach, M. J.; Braudy, N.; Briggs, R. W.; Cormier, M. -H.; Davis, M. B.; Diebold, J. B.; Dieudonne, N.; Douilly, R.; Frohlich, C.; Gulick, S. P. S.; Johnson, III, H. E.; Mann, P.; McHugh, C.; Ryan-Mishkin, K.; Prentice, C. S.; Seeber, L.; Sorlien, C. C.; Steckler, M. S.; Symithe, S. J.; Taylor, F. W.; Templeton, J.

Abstract:

Earthquakes on strike-slip faults can produce devastating natural hazards. However, because they consist predominantly of lateral motion, these faults are rarely associated with significant uplift or tsunami generation. And although submarine slides can generate tsunami, only a few per cent of all tsunami are believed to be triggered in this way. The 12 January Mw 7.0 Haiti earthquake exhibited primarily strike-slip motion but nevertheless generated a tsunami. Here we present data from a comprehensive field survey that covered the onshore and offshore area around the epicentre to document that modest uplift together with slope failure caused tsunamigenesis. Submarine landslides caused the most severe tsunami locally. Our analysis suggests that slide-generated tsunami occur an order-of-magnitude more frequently along the Gonave microplate than global estimates predict. Uplift was generated because of the earthquake?s location, where the Caribbean and Gonave microplates collide obliquely. The earthquake also caused liquefaction at several river deltas that prograde rapidly and are prone to failure. We conclude that coastal strike-slip fault systems such as the Enriquillog-Plantain Garden fault produce relief conducive to rapid sedimentation, erosion and slope failure, so that even modest predominantly strike-slip earthquakes can cause potentially catastrophic slide-generated tsunamig-a risk that is underestimated at present. ?? 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

70037698

Citation Author:

Hornbach, M. J.; Braudy, N.; Briggs, R. W.; Cormier, M. -H.; Davis, M. B.; Diebold, J. B.; Dieudonne, N.; Douilly, R.; Frohlich, C.; Gulick, S. P. S.; Johnson, III, H. E.; Mann, P.; McHugh, C.; Ryan-Mishkin, K.; Prentice, C. S.; Seeber, L.; Sorlien, C. C.; Steckler, M. S.; Symithe, S. J.; Taylor, F. W.; Templeton, J.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

788

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Nature Geoscience

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

High tsunami frequency as a result of combined strike-slip faulting and coastal landslides; 2010; Article; Journal; Nature Geoscience; Hornbach, M. J.; Braudy, N.; Briggs, R. W.; Cormier, M. -H.; Davis, M. B.; Diebold, J. B.; Dieudonne, N.; Douilly, R.; Frohlich, C.; Gulick, S. P. S.; Johnson, III, H. E.; Mann, P.; McHugh, C.; Ryan-Mishkin, K.; Prentice, C. S.; Seeber, L.; Sorlien, C. C.; Steckler, M. S.; Symithe, S. J.; Taylor, F. W.; Templeton, J.