Abstract

JAKKULA, Mounica  and  SRIVASTAVA, Kirti. Variation in Tsunami Wave-Heights Due to Coastal Topography and Impact of Rock Boulders on Inundation: A Case Study of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Along the Pondicherry Coast. Ser. correl. geol. [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.1-2, pp.27-38. ISSN 1666-9479.

Pondicherry located on the southeast coast of India was largely affected by the 26 Dec 2004 tsunami. However, a few regions along the Pondicherry coast did not experience any inundation/damage.

In this study, we have considered three regions along the Pondicherry coast, namely (1) Auroville Beach (2) Beach Road, and (3) Paradise Beach. Combining SRTM, CMAP, and GEBCO data a high resolution topographic and bathymetric data is acquired for the study region. Tsunami wave heights and inundation extent is calculated using the TUNAMI N2 model in the study region. It is observed that the structures on the Beach Road of Pondicherry were untouched and almost no inundation occurred in this region due to the rock boulders situated along the coast during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The Auroville Beach, having a steep slope, and the Paradise Beach, which is relatively flat is also studied for the tsunami wave-heights and inundation due to the variation in their topography. A sea wall of the same height as the boulders is considered to estimate the inundation along the Beach Road. Also, the surge forces are calculated along the sea wall. Results reveal that the tsunami wave heights and inundation at Auroville beach are much less than the Paradise beach, whereas there was no inundation along the Beach Road. Usage of rock boulders along populated coastal areas can minimize the damage due to tsunami.

Keywords : 2004 Tsunami; Pondicherry Coast; India.

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