High-quality tsunami simulation and prediction models exist, but are hard to locate and understand. They are in the hands of individual researchers located at various institutions throughout the world. To obtain critical predictive information (e.g., wave height and propagation estimates, run up effects), each model must be run with particular input data (specific coastline and underwater geography, historical water levels, tidal patterns, etc.). While much of the data is available online, it must be located and gathered from a variety of agencies, then converted to the appropriate formats for each model.

Further, the computing resources for executing the models are scattered, with computer architecture, system availability, and access varying from one location to another. Expert computing knowledge is required to install the models, expert geographic information knowledge is required to convert and properly align the input data, and expert tsunami knowledge is required to accurately interpret simulation results. The Tsunami Computational Portal provides a collaborative forum where these areas of expertise come together in support of tsunami research and mitigation.

Enter the Tsunami Computational Portal