Mapping the Possible Tsunami Hazard as the First Step Towards a Tsunami Resistant Community in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Abstract

Inundation maps for Esmeraldas, Ecuador were produced to identify areas susceptible to tsunami flooding as a first step to develop a reliable early tsunami warning system and to indicate evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations. The identification of possible tsunami source areas was based on the historic record of regional tsunamigenic earthquakes. As expected, results of the simulated tsunamis showed the most destructive tsunamis to Esmeraldas to be those that are generated directly off the coast of Esmeraldas. Among the most vulnerable places in Esmeraldas are Las Palmas and Capitanía de Puerto; this is in spite of the protection offered by structures built up to protect the harbor. Both banks of the Esmeraldas River were also found to be highly vulnerable to tsunami flooding.