WAVE-MAKER CURVES FOR TSUNAMIS GENERATED BY UNDERWATER LANDSLIDES

A nondimensional wavemaker curve of a characteristic water wave amplit ude is constructed from the landslide length, the initial landslide su bmergence, the incline angle measured from the horizontal, the charact eristic distance of landslide motion, and the characteristic duration of landslide motion. This wavemaker curve applies broadly to water wav es generated by unsteady motion of a submerged object, provided the mo tion is governed by only one characteristic distance scale and one cha racteristic time scale. An analytical solution of solid block motion p rovides the characteristic distance scale and time scale. Two-dimensio nal experimental results on a 45 degrees incline confirm that a wavema ker curve for solid block landslides exists as a function of the nondi mensional initial submergence and what is called the Hammack number. W ater wave amplitudes generated by solid block landslides can be predic ted from the wavemaker curve if the solid block motion is known. Crite ria for the generation of linear water waves are given.