Simulation on distribution of tsunami debris

Kawamura, Hideyuki  ; Kobayashi, Takuya ; Nishikawa, Shiro*; Ishikawa, Yoichi*; Usui, Norihisa*; Kamachi, Masafumi*

Tsunami debris was flushed out due to tsunami accompanied by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. In this study, simulation on distribution of tsunami debris was carried out in cooperation with Japan Agency for JAMSTEC and MRI, JMA. An ocean dispersion model SEA-GEARN developed at JAEA was used in this study. We used the ocean current and sea surface wind data from March 2011 to September 2013 calculated by an ocean data assimilation system MOVE developed at MRI, JMA. On the other hand, we used them from October 2013 to June 2016 calculated by an atmosphere-ocean coupling data assimilation system K7 developed at JAMSTEC. It was suggested that tsunami debris was transported eastward by the Kuroshio Extension and reached the western U.S. coast. In addition, it was forecasted that a large part of tsunami debris would spread in the southern part of the North Pacific.