Simulation of Inundation at Imwon Port during 1983 Central East Sea Tsunami

Abstract

The Central East Sea Tsunami which occurred on 26(th) May, 1983 had attacked the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula and caused considerable damage at coastal communities including Imwon, a small fishery port. The tsunami has been recorded as the most destructive tsunami during the last century in Korea. The observed average run-up height of the tsunami at the Imwon port was approximately 4.0 m. A numerical model, which consists of the propagation and the inundation models, is used to simulate inundation at the Imwon port. The numerically predicted maximum inundation area is in excellent agreement with the observed data and correctly simulates the vortex that occurred within the port and significantly damaged the anchored ships.