Physical modeling of tsunamis generated by submarine volcanic eruptions

The volcanic tsunami generator (VTG) experiments were performed in the Directional Wave Basin at the O. H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The experiment primarily designed for studying tsunami waves generated by underwater volcanic eruption. The designed wave maker is a novel pneumatic volcanic tsunami generator to generate volcanic tsunamis with repeatable and controlled source parameters. Synchronized measurements of the cylindrical wave profile are obtained from the wave gauge array and cameras deployed in the basin. Empirical equations are derived to characterize and evaluate tsunami wave parameters, which can help improve current tsunami warning and mitigation systems with consideration of volcanic tsunami hazards.