Chemical and environmental impact related to geohazards in subduction zones

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorChagué-Goff, Cen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-07T05:58:27Zen_AU
dc.date.available2022-11-07T05:58:27Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2012-08-05en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-01-31en_AU
dc.description.abstractMajor tsunamis generated in subduction zones are nothing new. However, it is only recently that the chemical and environmental impact of these devastating events on land has been investigated. Chemical data gathered during post-tsunami surveys following the 2009 South Pacific (Samoa), 2010 Maule (Chile) and 2011 Tohoku-oki (Japan) tsunamis are presented and compared. These studies show that tsunami inundation has resulted in saltwater contamination of soils, sediments and surface waters. While rainfall has led to some dilution over time, the marine chemical signature was still recorded six months after the events, both in the sediments/soils and water bodies. This reflects a long-term impact of tsunami inundation, particularly in farmland areas, where the re-establishment of farming (e.g. rice) was hindered due to saltwater contamination. Fine sediments (mud) and soils retained the marine signature, but this was less evident in sandy deposits. Of particular note however, geochemical markers were found beyond the recognisable limit of sand deposition, even six months after the tsunamis, indicating that in absence of reliable sedimentological evidence they can be used to identify the true limit of tsunami inundation. This study highlights not only the long-term environmental impact of tsunami inundation, but also the usefulness of geochemical markers to identify palaeotsunami deposits and the extent of tsunami inundation beyond the limit of sand deposition. The latter findings have important implications for modelling, and tsunami risk assessment and mitigation.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationChague-Goff, C. (2012). Chemical and environmental impact related to geohazards in subduction zones. Paper presented to the 34th International Geological Congress 2012, "Unearthing our Past and Future - Resourcing Tomorrow", Brisbane, Australia, 5-10 August 2012. (pp. 1937).en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate10 August 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename34th International Geological Congress 2012, 'Unearthing our Past and Future - Resourcing Tomorrow'en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceBrisbane, Australiaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate5 August 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.otherGC124757en_AU
dc.identifier.pagination1937en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/14000en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Geosciences Councilen_AU
dc.subjectEnvironmental effectsen_AU
dc.subjectHazardsen_AU
dc.subjectTsunamisen_AU
dc.subjectJapanen_AU
dc.subjectDataen_AU
dc.subjectPacific Oceanen_AU
dc.subjectSedimentsen_AU
dc.subjectSoilsen_AU
dc.subjectRisk assessmenten_AU
dc.titleChemical and environmental impact related to geohazards in subduction zonesen_AU
dc.typeConference Abstracten_AU
Files
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.63 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Conference Publications