New type of tsunami barrier

Abstract

Tsunami impact on a coast can be reduced by applying a submerged vertical barrier to reflect tsunami before the catastrophic waves are built up near the coast. However, construction of such long walls by conventional submarine technology is difficult. In this paper, the construction of extended submarine walls at a depth of between 50 and 500 m below sea level by a relatively simple and efficient technology is described. The submarine walls can consist either of high-strength steel fences with anchors or two parallel steel fences with distance holders, lowered into the sea and fixed with rocks inserted from top. Alternatively, the barriers could be built from gabions (prefabricated steel net baskets filled with rocks) and lowered into the sea. The space between these tsunami barriers and the coast can be filled with solid material, thus allowing reclamation of new land, or this gap can be used for fish farming. These barriers can contribute to preservation of beaches and natural ecosystems at the coast. © 2013 The Author(s).