Assessing Tsunami Hazard Along Vancouver Islands West Coast Using Viewshed Analysis

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Date
2006-04
Authors
Johnson, Davin R. E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal
Abstract
Quick and reliable mapping of Tsunami hazard location and intensity is of great importance to mankind. The conventional methods for assessing these natural disasters rely on models that are both very time-consuming and costly. Unfortunately, these constraints give the models no possibility for evacuation planning to be used directly after a recorded event. This paper presents a new method using viewshed analysis for mapping the locations that will be affected by a Tsunami. The viewshed analysis was run from a hypothetical earthquake epicenter located 100km off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, BC, and overlain on a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Vancouver Island. Results show that Vancouver Island as a whole is relatively safe from Tsunami attack, but some of the more popular regions for tourists would be greatly affected and in need of immediate evacuation.
Description
Keywords
Tsunami Warning System , Tsunamis -- Northwest, Pacific
Citation
Johnson, Davin R. E. (2006). Assessing Tsunami Hazard Along Vancouver Islands West Coast Using Viewshed Analysis. Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal, 1(1).