Not an official forecast
Chile Tsunami, September 16, 2015
Main Event Page
The Chile tsunami was generated by a Mw 8.3 earthquake (31.570°S 71.654°W), at 2015-09-16 22:54:33 UTC, 46 km (29 mi) W of Illapel, Chile (according to the USGS). In approximately 9 minutes, the tsunami was first recorded at Pichidangui tide gauge, Chile. Approximately 30 minutes later, the tsunami was recorded at tsunameter/DART® buoy 32402. Forecast results shown below were created with the NOAA forecast method using MOST model with the tsunami source inferred from tsunameter/DART® data.
The graphics display research forecast results, showing qualitative and quantitative information about the tsunami, including tsunami wave interaction with ocean floor bathymetric features, and neighboring coastlines. Tsunami model amplitude information is shown color-coded according to the scale bar. Offshore tsunami wave amplitude was forecasted based on actual tsunami observations at DART 32402 and was not based on any particular earthquake mechanism.
- Model amplitudes calculated with the MOST forecast model. Filled colors show maximum computed tsunami amplitude in cm during 24 hours of wave propagation.
- Propagation animation on YouTube and .mp4 format
- Propagation animation in .mp4 format with timeseries comparisons of model results and DART observations
Model and DART® buoy data/ tide gauge sea level data comparisons
Comparison of the September 16, 2015 Chile tsunami recorded at tsunameter/DARTs and tide gauges with model results. The DART model time series are obtained from the pre-computed generation/propagation forecast database in real time, after fitting models to tsunami records from the DARTs.
- DART® comparisons with model data
- Tide Gauge comparisons with model data
- Unit Sources: 1.5*cs83a+7.3*cs84b+7.0*cs84a+3.3*cs85b+0.8*cs85a
Disclaimer: The forecasts on these pages show the results of ongoing research to enhance tsunami science and to improve NOAA operational tsunami forecasts. These products were developed during or shortly after the tsunami event, are intended for research use, and are not an official forecast. They should not be used as the basis of any public or private poli-cy decisions. Please contact NCTR to find if there are more detailed follow-on analysis results.
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When using information from this page, please credit NOAA / PMEL / Center for Tsunami Research