TSUNAMI
Tsunamis are large ocean waves triggered by underwater disturbances, such as earthquakes or landslides. They pose a significant hazard to coastal populations and can cause widespread devastation. Understanding tsunami generation, propagation, and impact requires multidisciplinary research and robust monitoring systems.
Infrastructure and Collaborative Framework
The Thematic Core Service (TCS) Tsunami, part of the EPOS infrastructure, integrates diverse datasets and services, including sea level measurements, historical records, and numerical models. The initiative facilitates coordination among European and international tsunami research communities, leveraging collaborations to enhance tsunami science and risk reduction efforts.
Mission: Towards safer coastal communities
Tsunami research informs hazard assessments, evacuation planning, and early warning systems, directly reducing risks to human lives and infrastructure. By improving the understanding of tsunami dynamics, the TCS supports disaster preparedness and strengthens the resilience of coastal communities in Europe and beyond.
Tools and Platforms
Tsunamis are rare natural phenomena whose observations are sparse and widely spread over the globe. On the other hand, the physics of tsunami propagation is relatively simple and could be well translated into computer models. That is why numerical simulations have become a main tool in tsunami science. Correspondingly, TCS Tsunami provides a family of software tools to model various stages of tsunami generation, propagation and impact. These tools comprise Pillar 3 “Numerical Models” of the TCS delivery framework and are distributed via the community portal tsunamidata.org. In addition to the numerical models, this platform also contains links to resources providing access to historical datasets and hazard products. TCS Tsunami strives for a tighter integration of the community platform(s) with EPOS’ centralized ICS-C and -D portals.
Future Goals and Aspirations
The TCS for Tsunami aims to establish sustainable and harmonized services for tsunami research and risk management. By enhancing data accessibility and fostering international collaboration, the initiative seeks to advance scientific understanding and improve disaster preparedness at a global, regional, and local scale in Europe and all over the world.