Research on prediction methods of tsunamis induced by landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yellow River

The risks of tsunamis in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yellow River cannot be overlooked. Empirical equations are efficient evaluation methods which should be considered as a priority. Field survey was carried out on the loess landslide and tsunami which occurred in Jiaojiayatou in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yellow River on February 7th, 2012. Then features of the loess landslide and tsunami were analyzed. Nine classical equations for landslide-triggered tsunamis were adopted to calculate characteristic parameters of the tsunami, including initial surge height and run-up height on the opposite bank. Compared with field survey results, characteristic parameters of the tsunami derived by empirical equations, including ASCE recommended method, method of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Huber and Hager model and Panjiazheng method, are close to those of the real model. The verification coefficients are 2.14, 1.92, 0.6 and 0.66 respectively. After comprehensive comparisons of safety and economical efficiency, Panjiazheng method is recommended to predict similar hazards in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yellow River.