Comparison of Tsunami Arrival Times Using GIS Methods: A Case Study in the Makran Subduction Zone, West Coast of India

Western Indian Ocean is not free from tsunami threat. Earthquakes along the Makran Subduction Zone are rare but cannot overlook the seismicity in this region, as the historical tsunamis have not been properly documented due to lack of instrumental data. Documented reports and letters about the historical tsunamis from this subduction zone that caused damage to the surrounding regions like Iran, Oman, Southern Pakistan, India, Maldives and other bordering countries of the Arabian Sea. The earthquake recorded; observed and documented on 27th November 1945 in the Northern Arabian Sea generated a Tsunami caused devastation and destruction in the neighboring countries. This paper presents the estimation of tsunami arrival times computed using GIS methods at different locations along the Western Coast of India and compared with the arrival times computed using the Tunami N2 model. The results obtained are in good agreement with an R2 value of ~0.8. This provides information to assist with the rapid tsunami evacuation operations and further helps to develop a decision support system for local decision makers.