Although no significant tsunamis have hit the Hawaiian Islands since the mid 70s, tsunamis have remained very active in the Pacific Basin. Between 1992 and 1998 alone, the Pacific Basin experienced 10 major tsunamis which killed more than 4,000 people. It is this tremendous loss of life and property which makes necessary the need to develop accurate and efficient prediction models that can calculate and simulate the wave height and force of a tsunami approaching the Hawaiian Islands. Because of Hawai'i's unique mid-Pacific location, we are especially vulnerable to tsunami attacks. It is important that a distinction between tsunamis and tidal waves be made.
Tidal waves are waves that are the result of gravitational influences of the moon, sun and planets.
Tsunamis are usually generated by earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions in coastal regions. They are a series of waves of long wavelength and period. As a tsunami crosses the deep ocean, it may only be a few feet high or less but can travel at speeds exceeding 600 mph. As it enters shallower coastal areas, the velocity decreases but the wave height increases, thereby posing a danger to residents and structures along the coastline. A seafloor disturbance, such as motion along a fault, pushes up the overlying water.