Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

The impact of tsunamis on buildings, infrastructures and human losses has been globally studied. However, the relationship tsunami waves-marine ecosystems remains unclear. For example, during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT), damage to living corals and reefs were surveyed all over the archipelago. Given that coral reef system is essential for fisheries, tourism and represent a natural coastal protection against large waves events, it is urgent to better understand how the IOT damaged such an ecosystem. Using TUNAMI-N2 model, we propose to reproduce the maximum amplitude and flow velocity of the IOT along the Maldivian shores with 10-m resolution. From statistical analysis, we developed tsunami fragility curves, with their 95 % confidence interval, for damaged coral reefs based on the maximum tsunami amplitude and the maximum flow velocity of the IOT. The flow velocity is found to be the best descriptor of tsunami damage. Based on the results, when the tsunami amplitude and flow velocity attain 4 meters and 4 m/s respectively, the probability that reefs endure damage is about 80 %. This founding may have implications for the development of long-term reef monitoring and planning to strengthen the resilience of reef resources after large wave events in the Maldives.