Abstract:
An experimental and numerical investigation into the generation and propagation of landslide-generated tsunamis is presented. In the physical experiments, the landslide is modelled as a solid block moving along a horizontal boundary in a long flume. A mechanical system is used to control the landslide motion, and an application of the laser-induced fluorescence method is used to measure free surface elevations. The amplitude of waves generated during experiments are compared to those predicted by a semi-analytical model. This model is based on inviscid-irrotational theory, and is computationally inexpensive. Results show that the semi-analytical model effectively predicts the phase and speed of the generated waves, but slightly underpredicts their amplitude. An increase in landslide Fr has a greater effect on the wave amplitude and energy than an increase in the initial acceleration of the landslide.