Tsunami deposits: A broader perspective

Abstract

Tsunami Sedimentology and Its Role in Hazard Awareness, Preparedness, Assessment, and Mitigation; San Francisco, California, 2-3 December 2011 Tsunami sediments are recorders of recent and past tsunamis. While studies of recent tsunamis document erosional and depositional features created during tsunami inundation, the exploration of prehistoric (paleo-) tsunami deposits poses a more complex problem due to uncertainties introduced by incomplete preservation and incomplete knowledge of environmental conditions at the time. A better understanding of sedimentary processes governing deposit generation will improve our ability to employ paleotsunami deposits as tools to reconstruct prehistoric tsunami characteristics.