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More than 40 tsunami modellers will gather at Fremantle this week to discuss the latest developments in tsunami modelling and forecasting.  They represent countries in the Indian Ocean region as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Germany and the United States which are active in undertaking tsunami modelling in the Indian Ocean region.

"Tsunami modelling is critical for the development of tsunami warning and mitigation systems as they provide information on the magnitude and time of tsunami impact after a tsunami has been generated," said Prof Charitha Pattiaratchi, conference convener, from The University of Western Australia.  "Through the simulation of different tsunamis it is possible to construct risk maps of the areas affected by tsunamis and develop mitigation factors."

In addition to tsunamis generated due to earthquakes, the symposium will discuss tsunamis generated by meteorological effects such as thunderstorms.

Recordings of water level changes, from Hillarys boat harbour to Busselton, during the March hailstorm in Perth show a half-metre tsunami was generated in about 20 minutes.  Normal tidal patterns would produce this change over a period of 12 hours.

"The water level changes recorded during this period were larger than that recorded during the 2004 tsunami," said Prof Pattiaratchi.  "This would produce very strong currents in harbour entrances, and have other significant impacts."

"In the five years since the 2004 tsunami, there have been considerable advances in tsunami modelling, especially in the Indian Ocean region.  It is timely to hold an Indian Ocean tsunami modelling symposium so that the global tsunami modelling community can come together to share acquired knowledge and discuss developments in the field."

The symposium, which runs from 12-15 October, is being held under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS) the body responsible for the implementation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.

Media references

Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi (+61 8)  6488 3179  /  (+61 4) 11 139 753
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716