Tsunami inundation maps of Fox Islands communities, including Dutch Harbor and Akutan, Alaska

Potential tsunami hazards for the Fox Islands communities of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor and Akutan were evaluated by numerically modeling the extent of inundation from tsunami waves generated by hypothetical earthquake sources and taking into account historical observations. Worst-case hypothetical scenarios are defined by analyzing results of a sensitivity study of the tsunami dynamics related to various slip distributions along the Aleutian megathrust. The worst-case scenarios for Unalaska and Akutan are thought to be thrust earthquakes in the Fox Islands region with magnitudes ranging from Mw 8.8 to Mw 9.1 that have their greatest slip at 30-40 km (18-25 mi) depth. We also consider Tohoku-type ruptures and an outer-rise rupture in the area of the Fox Islands. Results presented here are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management agencies in tsunami inundation assessment, evacuation planning, and public education to mitigate future tsunami hazards.

Data and Resources

Field Value
access_constraints ["Use Constraints: This dataset includes results of numerical modeling of earthquake-generated tsunami waves for a specific community. Modeling was completed using the best information and tsunami modeling software available at the time of analysis. They are numerical solutions and, while they are believed to be accurate, their ultimate accuracy during an actual tsunami will depend on the specifics of earth deformations, on-land construction, tide level, and other parameters at the time of the tsunami. Actual areas of inundation may differ from areas shown in this dataset. Landslide tsunami sources may not be included in the modeling due to unknown potential impact of such events on a given community; please refer to accompanying report for more information on tsunami sources used for this study. The limits of inundation shown should only be used as a general guideline for emergency planning and response action in the event of a major tsunamigenic earthquake. These results are not intended for any other use, including land-use regulation or actuarial purposes. Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.", "Access Constraints: This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below)."]
bbox-east-long -165.700483
bbox-north-lat 54.157923
bbox-south-lat 53.810076
bbox-west-long -166.659760
contact-email dggsgis@alaska.gov
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2015-01-01"}]
frequency-of-update notPlanned
guid e447979b-d437-4361-9756-0f8ebdc82f7c_source
licence ["The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product."]
lineage This lineage was generated by the FGDC CSDGM to 19139 transformation
metadata-date 2016-01-12
metadata-language eng; USA
metadata_type geospatial
old-spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-166.65976, 53.810076], [-165.700483, 53.810076], [-165.700483, 54.157923], [-166.65976, 54.157923], [-166.65976, 53.810076]]]}
progress completed
resource-type dataset
responsible-party [{"name": "Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys", "roles": ["pointOfContact"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-166.65976, 53.810076], [-165.700483, 53.810076], [-165.700483, 54.157923], [-166.65976, 54.157923], [-166.65976, 53.810076]]]}
spatial_harvester true
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • AmeriGEO
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • CKAN
  • GEO
  • GEOSS
  • National
  • North America
  • United States
  • active fault
  • akutan
  • coastal
  • earthquake
  • earthquake related slope failure
  • emergency preparedness
  • engineering
  • engineering geology
  • fault displacement
  • faulting
  • flood
  • fox islands
  • geologic hazards
  • geology
  • hazards
  • inundation
  • land subsidence
  • landslide
  • modeling
  • raster image
  • seismic gap
  • seismic hazards
  • slides
  • slope
  • slope instability
  • tides
  • topography
  • tsunami
  • unalaska
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-09-24T08:38:05.961901
metadata_modified 2025-09-24T08:38:05.961910
notes Potential tsunami hazards for the Fox Islands communities of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor and Akutan were evaluated by numerically modeling the extent of inundation from tsunami waves generated by hypothetical earthquake sources and taking into account historical observations. Worst-case hypothetical scenarios are defined by analyzing results of a sensitivity study of the tsunami dynamics related to various slip distributions along the Aleutian megathrust. The worst-case scenarios for Unalaska and Akutan are thought to be thrust earthquakes in the Fox Islands region with magnitudes ranging from Mw 8.8 to Mw 9.1 that have their greatest slip at 30-40 km (18-25 mi) depth. We also consider Tohoku-type ruptures and an outer-rise rupture in the area of the Fox Islands. Results presented here are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management agencies in tsunami inundation assessment, evacuation planning, and public education to mitigate future tsunami hazards.
num_resources 16
num_tags 37
title Tsunami inundation maps of Fox Islands communities, including Dutch Harbor and Akutan, Alaska