In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to
enlarge the observational time window by finding more evidence of past
events. Here, we present a thick two-layer tsunami deposit evidenced in an archaeological excavation in Martinique and we relate it to the 1755 Lisbon tsunami. Our results indicate a way to improve our tsunami databases and further constrain the use of numerical modelling to predict paleo-tsunami deposit thickness.
In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to
enlarge the observational...
1Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Martinique, FWI
2Université des Antilles, Laboratoire LARGE, Campus de Fouillole, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
3Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives, Centre de recherche archéologique de Poitiers, 122, rue de la Bugellerie, 86000 Poitiers, France
1Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Martinique, FWI
2Université des Antilles, Laboratoire LARGE, Campus de Fouillole, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
3Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives, Centre de recherche archéologique de Poitiers, 122, rue de la Bugellerie, 86000 Poitiers, France
Received: 29 Jun 2017 – Accepted for review: 24 Jul 2017 – Discussion started: 07 Aug 2017
Abstract. In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to enlarge the observational time window by finding more evidence of past events. To that end, evidence of allochthonous deposits provides estimates of tsunami inundation, recurrence time and magnitude. However, in tropical islands, erosion due to the highly rainy climate generally prevents deposits to stay in place and when they are, relating them to a tsunami is not straightforward, as they can result either from a strong hurricane or from a tsunami. One notable exception concerns deposits sealed by subsequent events. In this paper, we present evidence of an anomalously thick two-layer tsunami deposit in an excavation in Martinique. Analysis of the archaeological remains indicate that it is related to the 1755 Lisbon tsunami. We explain the thickness of the deposit by a tsunami-induced bore in the mangrove drainage channels of Fort-de-France. Our results highlight the benefits of collaborative research involving geology and archaeology, indicate a way to improve our tsunami databases and further constrain the use of numerical modelling to predict paleo-tsunami deposit thickness.
In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to
enlarge the observational time window by finding more evidence of past
events. Here, we present a thick two-layer tsunami deposit evidenced in an archaeological excavation in Martinique and we relate it to the 1755 Lisbon tsunami. Our results indicate a way to improve our tsunami databases and further constrain the use of numerical modelling to predict paleo-tsunami deposit thickness.
In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to
enlarge the observational...