Effect of tsunami breakwater as a mitigation measure at the Bay of Concepcion

Abstract

This article presents the results of the 2010 tsunami simulation in the Bay of Concepcion. It is also studied the effect of breakwaters at the bay's mouth on inundation area and run-up. A modeling of static and non-uniform deformation of the 2010 tsunami is used, and the propagation and run-up is simulated by means of the software Delft3D-FLOW. The first case considers a breakwater between the northern part of Quiriquina island and the north of Tomé with a maximum water depth of 40 m. While the second alternative considers a breakwater between the southern end of the Quiriquina island and the south of Tomé, with a maximum water depth of 20 m. In addition, the effect of a third breakwater, which acts in combination with the above alternatives, between the island and Tumbes was studied. The results show that the use of a tsunami breakwater significantly reduces both the flooding area and inundation height, however, it does not completely eliminate flooding in the area between the cities of Penco and Talcahuano. Finally, the best alternative, from a technical point of view, seems to be the use of a breakwater between the Quiriquina island and the southern side of Tomé and without considering other breakwater between the island and Tumbes.