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NOAA NCTR experimental research product
Not an official forecast
Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), British Columbia Tsunami, October 27, 2012
Main Event Page

Queen Charlote Island Event page | Model-Data comparisons

The Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), British Columbia tsunami was generated by a Mw 7.8 earthquake (52.788°N 132.101°W ), at 2012-10-28 03:04:08 UTC, 202km (126mi) SSW of Prince Rupert, Canada (according to the USGS). In approximately 45 minutes, the tsunami was first recorded at tsunameter/DART® buoy 46419. Forecast results shown below were created with the NOAA forecast method using MOST model with the tsunami source inferred from tsunameter/DART® data.

The graphics display research 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 the scale bar. Offshore tsunami wave amplitude was forecasted based on actual tsunami observations at DART 46419 and was not based on any particular earthquake mechanism.

Modeling Results

Model and tsunameter/DART® buoy data / tide gauge data comparison

Comparison of the October 27, 2012 Queen Charlotte Island tsunami recorded at tsunameter/DARTs and sea-level gauges with model forecasts.

The DART model timeseries are obtained from the pre-computed generation/propagation forecast database in real time, after fitting models to tsunami records from the closest DART (46419).

References:

Tang, L., V.V. Titov, E. Bernard, Y. Wei, C. Chamberlin, J.C. Newman, H. Mofjeld, D. Arcas, M. Eble, C. Moore, B. Uslu, C. Pells, M.C. Spillane, L.M. Wright, and E. Gica (2012): Direct energy estimation of the 2011 Japan tsunami using deep-ocean pressure measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 117, C08008, doi: 10.1029/2011JC007635

Tang, L., V. V. Titov, and C. D. Chamberlin (2009), Development, testing, and applications of site-specific tsunami inundation models for real-time forecasting, J. Geophys. Res., 114, C12025, doi:10.1029/2009JC005476. [PDF version]

Titov, V.V. (2009): Tsunami forecasting. Chapter 12 in The Sea, Volume 15: Tsunamis, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA and London, England, 371–400.

Wei, Y., C. Chamberlin, V.V. Titov, L. Tang, and E.N. Bernard (2012): Modeling of 2011 Japan Tsunami - lessons for near-field forecast, Pure Appl. Geophys., doi: 10.1007/s00024-012-0519-z

Wei, Y., E. Bernard, L. Tang, R. Weiss, V. Titov, C. Moore, M. Spillane, M. Hopkins, and U. Kânoğlu (2008): Real-time experimental forecast of the Peruvian tsunami of August 2007 for U.S. coastlinesGeophys. Res. Lett.35, L04609, doi: 10.1029/2007GL032250. [PDF Version]

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.

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