Tsunami-WebGIS - Displaying Tsunami Simulations for Indonesia to a Broader Audience

Within the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System project (GITEWS), a database containing approximately 4500 tsunami simulations for the Sunda arc, was created. Simulations were calculated using the finite element model TsunAWI implemented at AWI. The corresponding data products such as maximum wave height and estimated time of arrival at the coast are used operationally for tsunami early warning purposes. Visualization of tsunami simulation data in general and analyzing the information by non-modelers is nevertheless difficult, since accessing the data requires in depth knowledge on modeling with TsunAWI and specific programming libraries to be installed. However, it was intended to overcome this issue and provide an overview of the modeling efforts in Indonesia to a broader public. This was accomplished within the scope of the project Earth System Knowledge Platform (ESKP), initiated at institutions of the Helmholtz Association. Data products are visualized in the interactive Tsunami-WebGIS, a Geographical Information System (GIS) based web service, hosted on maps.awi.de, a GIS infrastructure implemented at AWI. The Tsunami-WebGIS provides an overview of the tsunami database and enables the user to trigger a tsunami at a certain epicenter and view the respective maximum wave heights as well as arrival time isochrones. This approach provides an overview of the simulation coverage and tsunami propagation in the the Sunda arc region to a non-expert audience. While it may be used for educational purposes, it has also proven to facilitate analysis by the modelers themselves. It is further planned to include extensions of the database in Indonesia as well as historical events in the region.