Tsunami inundation maps of the villages of Chenega Bay and northern Sawmill Bay, Alaska

Potential tsunami hazards for the community of Chenega Bay, located on Evans Island between Sawmill and Crab bays, were evaluated by numerically modeling the extent of inundation from tsunami waves generated by earthquakes. Tsunami scenarios include a repeat of the tsunami triggered by the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, as well as tsunamis generated by a hypothetically extended 1964 rupture, a hypothetical Cascadia megathrust earthquake, a hypothetical earthquake in the Kodiak asperity of the 1964 rupture, and a hypothetical Tohoku-type rupture in the Gulf of Alaska region. Results of numerical modeling are verified by simulations of the tectonic tsunami observed in Chenega Cove during the 1964 earthquake. The results presented here are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management agencies in tsunami-hazard assessment, evacuation planning, and public education, to reduce damages from 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 -147.947283
bbox-north-lat 60.144522
bbox-south-lat 60.022739
bbox-west-long -148.130742
contact-email dggsgis@alaska.gov
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2014-01-01"}]
frequency-of-update notPlanned
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."]
metadata-date 2014-12-02
metadata-language eng; USA
metadata_type geospatial
progress completed
resource-type dataset
responsible-party [{"name": "Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys", "roles": ["pointOfContact"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-148.130742, 60.022739], [-147.947283, 60.022739], [-147.947283, 60.144522], [-148.130742, 60.144522], [-148.130742, 60.022739]]]}
spatial_harvester true
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • alaska-earthquake-1964
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • ckan
  • coastal
  • coastal-and-river
  • coastal-and-river-hazards
  • earthquake
  • earthquake-related-hazards
  • emergency-preparedness
  • engineering
  • engineering-geology
  • fault-displacement
  • flood
  • geo
  • geologic-hazards
  • geoss
  • hazards
  • holocene
  • inundation
  • modeling
  • national
  • north-america
  • seismic-hazards
  • southcentral-alaska
  • tsunami
  • united-states
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-11-22T21:04:43.862525
metadata_modified 2025-11-22T21:04:43.862529
notes Potential tsunami hazards for the community of Chenega Bay, located on Evans Island between Sawmill and Crab bays, were evaluated by numerically modeling the extent of inundation from tsunami waves generated by earthquakes. Tsunami scenarios include a repeat of the tsunami triggered by the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, as well as tsunamis generated by a hypothetically extended 1964 rupture, a hypothetical Cascadia megathrust earthquake, a hypothetical earthquake in the Kodiak asperity of the 1964 rupture, and a hypothetical Tohoku-type rupture in the Gulf of Alaska region. Results of numerical modeling are verified by simulations of the tectonic tsunami observed in Chenega Cove during the 1964 earthquake. The results presented here are intended to provide guidance to local emergency management agencies in tsunami-hazard assessment, evacuation planning, and public education, to reduce damages from future tsunami hazards.
num_resources 9
num_tags 27
title Tsunami inundation maps of the villages of Chenega Bay and northern Sawmill Bay, Alaska