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In 1998 and 1999 Jack Rynn and Jim Davidson, both
working in Brisbane, published material in the Science of Tsunami Hazards (vol 17 #2, pp 107-126) summarizing
Australian seismic disaster preparedness and mentioned
some evidence both geological and anecdotal of how
tsunamis, often from quite distant earthquakes, had struck Australia. A glance at the map shows that in many instances portions of Australia's northern coast are likely to be protected from distant tsunamis by the many islands of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Of course, there is little to be done about waves caused by a major marine earthquake in the Timor Sea or the Gulf of Carpenteria. An additional concern for Australia is that perhaps 90% of the population lives on or near coasts. Logistically, it is unclear if a mega-tsunami ravaged the east coast whether the western ports would be able to handle the volume of recovery materials AND whether the materials could be transported 1800 miles.
working in Brisbane, published material in the Science of Tsunami Hazards (vol 17 #2, pp 107-126) summarizing
Australian seismic disaster preparedness and mentioned
some evidence both geological and anecdotal of how
tsunamis, often from quite distant earthquakes, had struck Australia. A glance at the map shows that in many instances portions of Australia's northern coast are likely to be protected from distant tsunamis by the many islands of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Of course, there is little to be done about waves caused by a major marine earthquake in the Timor Sea or the Gulf of Carpenteria. An additional concern for Australia is that perhaps 90% of the population lives on or near coasts. Logistically, it is unclear if a mega-tsunami ravaged the east coast whether the western ports would be able to handle the volume of recovery materials AND whether the materials could be transported 1800 miles.
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For a tsunami moving eastward across the Indian Ocean Perth, with 1.5 million people in the city proper, is a very juicy target. Likewise, depending on how much of a barrier the Great Barrier Reef turns out to be, a Chilean tsunami would find Brisbane with 1.8 million people irresistible. Less analyzed is a northbound tsunami. It is sometimes forgotten that half of the Southern Hemisphere is south of Tasmania. In some scenarios Hobart (200,000) is only struck a glancing blow, and sometimes Melbourne (400,000) and Adelaide (1.1 million) escape major damage. We note that the bulk of land for Planet Earth is above the Equator. This is good as there are fewer extremely southern volcanoes, and, were one to erupt explosively, ash clouds would likely cause less damage.Somewhat ironically, much less land is bad as tsunamis will not be impeded. See also some pages on the Kermadec Islands (north of North Island New Zealand)
© 2018 Peter F. Zoll. All rights reserved.
© 2018 Peter F. Zoll. All rights reserved.