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NOAA NCTR research product
Not an official forecast

The February 10, 2021, Loyalty Islands tsunami was generated by a Mw 7.7 earthquake (23.054°S 171.601°E), at 2021-02-10 13:19:55 UTC (according to the USGS). The earthquake generated a tsunami that arrived approximately 2 hours 20 minutes later at the closest triggered DART 4G 5401001, located approximately 1774 km away from the epicenter, with a maximum wave amplitude below 1 cm. The next available DART buoys to detect the tsunami were DART 4G 5401000 and DART 51425, showing waves just above 1 cm approximately 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes after the earthquake respectively. That is the first tsunami to be detected by DART systems with 4G capabilities. A DART inversion was performed with data from DART 51425. The largest coastal tsunami amplitude was ~78 cm and was detected at the Lenakel, Tanna (Vanuatu) tide station 1 hour 20 minutes after the earthquake. Model results shown below were created with the NOAA forecast method using the MOST model via inversion of the source with NOAA's TFS (Tsunami Forecast System).

The graphics display preliminary modeling analysis, 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.

Modeling Results

Maximum wave amplitude distribution
Model amplitudes calculated with the MOST forecast model.
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Propagation animation
Propagation animation
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Preliminary Model

Comparison of the February 10, 2021 Loyalty Islands tsunami recorded at tsunameter/DARTs and tide gauges with model results computed using the DART-inverted source (red) and the USGS moment-tensor solution (blue) is presented in the graphics. The DART model time series are obtained from the pre-computed generation/propagation forecast database in real time, after automatically fitting models to tsunami records from the DARTs.

It is noted that all above model results are preliminary. The tsunami source is estimated from inversion of observed waveforms at DARTs using a limited number of unit sources. The discrepancies between model results and tide gauge observation are mostly due to the limited knowledge of the earthquake/tsunami source configuration at this point.

Disclaimer: The models 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.

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When using information from this page, please credit NOAA / PMEL / Center for Tsunami Research