Propagation Characteristics of Potential Tsunamis near Ryukyu Islands

유구열도 주변 잠재 지진해일 전파특성

Potential tsunamis which may occur near Ryukyu Islands were simulated. Propagation characteristics of the potential tsunamis over the southwestern sea and the influence of tsunamis on the southwestern coast of Korean Peninsula were analyzed. The shallow water area in the east sea of China and the deep water Okinawa Trough play an important role in wave transformation and propagation of the potential tsunamis. The propagation characteristics of the potential tsunamis generated near Ryukyu Islands can be described as in followings : In the first stage after generation, the tsunamis propagate with high speed both northeastward and southwestward along the Okinawa Trough. As a result the waves are elongated and the tsunami height is significantly reduced. The elongated crest of tsunamis spans the whole distance of the Okinawa Trough and lines up toward the edge of the continental shelf of East China Sea. Then, the tsunamis are propagating towards the southeast coast of China. Thus, the influence of tsunamis on the Korean coasts becomes weak.