Paleotsunami evidence on Kaua'i and numerical modeling of a great Aleutian tsunami. Issue 19 (3rd October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butler, Rhett; Burney, David; Walsh, David
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 41:Issue 19(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 6795
• Page End: 6802
• Publication Date: 2014-10-03
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL061232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The Hawaiian Islands' location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is threatened by tsunamis from great earthquakes in nearly all directions. Historical great earthquakes <italic>M_w</italic> &gt; 8.5 in the last 100 years have produced large inundations and loss of life in the islands but cannot account for a substantial (≤ 600 m³) paleotsunami deposit in the Makauwahi sinkhole on the Island of Kaua'i. Using high‐resolution bathymetry and topography we model tsunami inundation of the sinkhole caused by an earthquake with a moment magnitude of <italic>M_w</italic> ~9.25 located in the eastern Aleutians. A preponderance of evidence indicates that a giant earthquake in the eastern Aleutian Islands circa 1425–1665 A.D.—located between the source regions of the 1946 and 1957 great tsunamigenic earthquakes—created the paleotsunami deposit in Kaua'i. A tsunami deposit in the Aleutians dated circa 1530–1660 A.D. is consistent with this eastern Aleutian source region.</p> </abstract>