Tsunami Research

Tsunami Research and Experts at Oregon State University

Oregon State University is home to one of the largest research programs in the world on tsunami causes, behavior and mitigation, mostly in its College of Engineering. The Tsunami Wave Basin is part of the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, and was recently constructed as part of the National Science Foundation's $300 million investment in the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation.

The physical and computational experiments carried out at the Tsunami Wave Basin are rapidly expanding scientific understanding of the devastating impacts of tsunamis on coastal communities. More than 200 tsunamis are known to have affected the United States since the 1700s, and more U.S. citizens were killed in the last century by tsunamis than by all other earthquake-related incidents combined. The stakes are rising, as an increasing proportion of the population is drawn to vulnerable coastal areas. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, a geologic formation off the Pacific Northwest coast, holds the greatest potential of any location in the continental U.S. for a massive earthquake of the type that hit Southeast Asia in December, 2004. It has been estimated that a similar event in the U.S. would cause damage costing.

The Tsunami Wave basin is an international resource. Its remarkable size allows researchers to accurately model and measure the impact of tsunami-scale waves on coastlines, coastal buildings, port facilities, bridges, and other key infrastructure. Even more importantly, Oregon State's unique web-based software makes it possible for scientists and students to participate in experiments from anywhere in the world, and to "replay" past experiments to perform even more detailed analysis.

Beyond these facilities, the strength of OSU's programs in tsunami research lies in its world class faculty. Anyone needing more information about tsunamis or doing news coverage on issues related to them is encouraged to contact these experts, or call the OSU Department of News and Communication Services, at 541-737-4611.

Leading Tsunami and Earthquake Experts at Oregon State University:

• Harry Yeh, tsunami behavior and mitigation
• Solomon Yim, structural and ocean systems
• Dan Cox, director, Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory
• Chris Goldfinger, earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone
• Stephen E. Dickenson, Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

News Stories on Tsunami Issues and Research:

• Experts Propose Major Mapping Program on Oregon Coast
• Scientists Hone in on Earthquake 'Pulses' to Help Predict Tsunami Impact
• One Year Later: Huge Tsunami Spurred Progress, Revealed Needs
• Tsunami behavior, prediction a very complex task
• OSU prof testifies about tsunami research before Congress
• Preparation key to surviving tsunami destruction
• Research on Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunamis in clusters
• Tsunami potential on West Coast
• OSU hires tsunami expert, new wave lab director
• $4.8 million grant for Tsunami Research Laboratory