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CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics

Modelling Tsunamis and other similar events

Many problems in environmental sciences such as tsunamis, storm surges and dam-breaks involve the large-scale movement of solids and fluids. They are often irregular in their timing, difficult to observe and measure, involve multiple types of physical processes on a broad range of spatial and temporal scales and can be catastrophic in their consequences.

Computational modelling can play an important role both in helping to understand the nature of the fundamental processes involved, and in predicting the detailed outcomes of various types of events in specific locations. Particle-based modelling methods have specific advantages over traditional grid or mesh-based continuum methods for these types of problems. These include highly accurate and non-diffusive prediction of complex free-surface behaviour including wave motion, fragmentation and splashing; accurate and automatic convection of material; and the straightforward inclusion of multiscale multi-physics.

The CFD group in CMIS has been developing the particle based Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) code and the Granular Flow (GF) code to model geophysical flows using real three-dimensional topography obtained from Digital Terrain Models (DTM). Due to the use of real topographic information the results from the SPH model can be directly compared with disaster scenarios.

The following are movies of Geophysical SPH/GF simulations modelled by the CFD group:

Note:Some movies are DivX encoded to reduce file size.

If you have any problems playing these videos - you should ensure that you have
the latest codecs installed by visiting the DivX website and downloading the codecs.

http:/www.divx.com/divx/

Movie: Dam break1

zipped AVI file 36.8MB

Models the effect of the collapse of a dam in a region of real topography. View from above.
Movie: Dam break2

zipped AVI file 33MB

Models the effect of the collapse of a dam in a region of real topography. Moving camera view.
Movie: Dam break3

zipped AVI file 26.5MB

Models the effect of the collapse of a dam in a region of real topography. Close up view at the dam break.
Movie: Tsunami videos

zipped AVI file 89.8MB containing two views

Models the effect of shore impact of a tsunami in a region of real topography

Movie: Volcano Top View

Divx file 45 MB

A concise version of volcanoes (see below)
Movie: Volcano Side View

Divx file 45 MB

Models the eruption of a volcano, and subsequent lava flows, using SPH
 

Uses DivX compression

Movie: Landslide - escape and back

mpg file 5MB

Models a landslide over real topography using DEM - particles are coloured by speed. This is a view from the valley in the path of the landslide.
Movie: Landslide - behind

mpg file 5MB

A view of the landslide from behind at the top of the ridge - particles coloured by speed.
Movie: Landslide - ridge

mpg file 2MB

Models the collapse of a ridge into a valley of real topography, using DEM.

  

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