Validation of the 2D+1D Runup Estimation with Field Data of the 2010 Maule Tsunami

We use a methodology, where near-shore synthetic waveforms are used as input for the one-dimensional (1-D) analytical solution of the nonlinear shallow water-wave equations to estimate the maximum runup. We compare our results of empirical runup estimation with the measured runup values for the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule tsunami. The earthquake occurred at the southern boundary of the Nazca plate and the South American plate triggering a tsunami that first hit the region of Valparaiso about half an hour after the earthquake. Maximum runup values have been measured along the shoreline of the city of Constitutiòn. First, we compute near shore waveforms using the co-seismic deformation as initial condition in the nonlinear shallow water numerical model. Virtual tide gauges recordings of the waveforms offshore at the sites of runup measurements are identified. The profiles of the synthetic waveforms and bathymetric profiles at points of runup measurement are then used as input for the 1-D long wave runup theory. We use runup data collected on field surveys in the aftermath of the event, compare our estimations with the field measurements in detail and discuss limitations of our methodology. The comparison of the analytical solution estimates with measured runup values allows a critical evaluation on the application of the 1-D long wave runup theory for fast runup computation in support of tsunami early warning systems in near-shore tsunami events. This study received funding from project ASTARTE- Assessment Strategy and Risk Reduction for Tsunamis in Europe a collaborative project Grant 603839, FP7-ENV2013 6.4-3.