Key Steps towards the Development of a Tsunami Warning System in Southern Coasts of Iran

Makran subduction zone, located off southern coasts of Iran and Pakistan, is one the most tsunamigenic sources in the Indian Ocean which has generated deadly tsunamis in the past. Historical records reveal that this region produced the second deadliest tsunami in the Indian Ocean region which is the Makran tsunami of 1945 with a death toll of about 4000 people. Following the December 26, 2004 mega-tsunami in the Indian Ocean and in accordance with international efforts organized by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), Iran has been committed to develop its national tsunami warning system and to cooperate with neighboring countries to develop a regional tsunami warning system for Makran region. Presently, the implementation of key elements for developing such a system is in progress. Based on a wide archival research, first tsunami catalog for the Makran region is provided which includes 4 events. This catalog greatly improves the understanding of tsunami hazard in the region. For earthquake and tsunami detection, a network of seismograms and DARTs (Deep-ocean Assessment and Recording of Tsunami) are planned to be installed in and off southern coasts of Iran. A model for modeling of tsunami generation has been provided which allows identification of low, medium and extreme hazard categories of arriving tsunamis after the earthquake generation. To model tsunami propagation and run-up, a finite-difference numerical model with non-linear long wave theory, known as TUNAMI, is used. For prevention purposes, tsunami inundation and evacuation maps for several coastal areas are planned to be produced in the near future.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tsunami ، Makran Subduction Zone ، Tsunami Warning System