Numerical simulation of tsunami propagation using the characteristic-based split method

Abstract

A disastrous tsunami struck North Sumatra, Indonesia and many other countries on December 26, 2004. In response to this disaster, we develop a two-dimensional numerical model to simulate tsunami propagation on the open sea. Tsunami propagation-a process during which the wave has a relatively small height compared to its breadth-is modeled using the shallow water equations. To solve these equations, our model employs the characteristic-based split method first introduced by Zienkiewicz. Four case studies are proposed to verify the numerical model, and our results show that the present numerical model is both accurate and efficient. The numerical model is then used to model the propagation of the tsunami of December 26, 2004, and gives a relatively close result.