Note on the 1964 Alaska Tsunami Generation by Horizontal Displacements of Ocean Bottom. Numerical Modeling of the Runup in Chenega Cove, Alaska

A numerical model of the wave dynamics in Chenega Cove, Alaska during the historic M (w) 9.2 megathrust earthquake is presented. During the earthquake, locally generated waves of unknown origin were identified at the village of Chenega, located in the western part of Prince William Sound. The waves appeared shortly after the shaking began and swept away most of the buildings while the shaking continued. We model the tectonic tsunami in Chenega Cove assuming different tsunami generation processes. Modeled results are compared with eyewitness reports and an observed runup. Results of the numerical experiments let us claim the importance of including both vertical and horizontal displacement into the 1964 tsunami generation process. We also present an explanation for the fact that arrivals of later waves in Chenega were unnoticed.