source: anuga_work/publications/boxing_day_validation_2008/conclusion.tex @ 7521

Last change on this file since 7521 was 7521, checked in by ole, 15 years ago

Addressed review comments from Leharne Fountain (and a few of my own)

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1\section{Conclusion}
2This paper proposes a new field data benchmark for the
3verification of tsunami inundation models. Currently, there is a
4scarcity of appropriate validation datasets due to a lack of well-documented
5historical tsunami impacts. The benchmark proposed here
6utilises the uniquely large amount of observational data for model
7comparison obtained during, and immediately following, the
8Sumatra--Andaman tsunami of 26 December 2004. The proposed benchmark is intended to aid validation of tsunami inundation, which is the most important stage
9of tsunami evolution. However individual tests are presented to
10facilitate model evaluation for the generation and propagation
11phases as well. In an attempt to provide higher visibility and easier
12accessibility for tsunami benchmark problems, the data used to
13construct the proposed benchmark is documented and freely available at
14\url{http://tinyurl.com/patong2004-data}.
15
16 An associated aim of this paper was to further validate the
17\textsc{ursga--anuga} tsunami modelling methodology employed by Geoscience
18Australia which is used to simulate tsunami inundation.
19This study shows that the tsunami modelling methodology adopted is credible
20and able to predict detailed inundation extents and dynamics with reasonable accuracy.
21Model predictions matched well a detailed inundation survey
22of Patong Bay, Thailand as well as altimetry data from the \textsc{jason} satellite,
23eye-witness accounts of wave front arrival times and onshore flow speeds.
24
25A simple sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of
26small changes in friction, wave height at the 100 m depth contour and
27the presence of buildings on the model
28predictions. Of these three, the presence of buildings was shown to
29have the greatest influence on the simulated inundation extent. This result
30indicates that the influence of human-made structures should be included,
31where possible, in any future studies. The value of friction and small
32perturbations in the waveheight at the \textsc{anuga} boundary have
33comparatively little effect on the model results.
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