Landslide tsunamis propagating along a plane beach

Abstract

A forced two-horizontal-dimension analytical model is developed to investigate the distinguishing physical features of landslide-induced tsunamis generated and propagating on a plane beach. The analytical solution is employed to study the wave field at small times after the landslide motion starts. At larger times, the occurrence of transient edge waves travelling along the shoreline is demonstrated, showing the differences with the transient waves propagating over a bottom of constant depth. Results are satisfactorily compared with available experimental data. Finally, the validity of non-forced numerical models is discussed.