Not an official forecast
Tsunami Event - December 21, 2010 Bonin Islands, Japan
Main Event Page
The Bonin Islands tsunami event was generated by a Mw 7.4 earthquake (26.892°N, 143.726°E), at 17:19:40 UTC, 150 km (95 miles) E of Chichi-shima, Bonin Islands, Japan (according to the USGS). In a little under 1 hour, the tsunami was first recorded at DART® buoy 21413. Forecast results shown below were created with the NOAA forecast method using MOST model with the tsunami source inferred from DART® data. The tsunami waves first arrived at Chichijima Futami, Japan (approximately 130 km west from the earthquake epicenter ), at 17:44 UTC, about 24 minutes after the earthquake.
The graphics to the left display forecast results, showing qualitative and quantitative information about the tsunami, including tsunami wave interaction with ocean floor bathymetric features, and neighboring coastlines. Tsunami model amplitude information is shown color-coded according to the scale bar.
- Energy propagation pattern of the December 21, 2010 tsunami calculated with MOST forecast model. These model results are based on preliminary DART-constrained tsunami source obtained during real-time assessment of the event.
- Propagation animation
Model results comparison with sea level data
- Model comparison with DART data
- Model comparison with Midway and Wake Island tide gages
- Model comparison with Hawaii tide gages
- Unit Sources: -1.0*ki39b
Disclaimer: The forecasts on these pages show the results of ongoing research to enhance tsunami science and to improve NOAA operational tsunami forecasts. These products were developed during or shortly after the tsunami event, are intended for research use, and are not an official forecast. They should not be used as the basis of any public or private policy decisions. Please contact NCTR to find if there are more detailed follow-on analysis results.
For media inquiries:
When using information from this page, please credit NOAA / PMEL / Center for Tsunami Research