In Search of Ancient Tsunamis: A Researcher's Travels, Tools, and Techniques

285 Pages·2023·25.156 MB·English

by  James Goff

In Search of Ancient Tsunamis

In Search of Ancient
Tsunamis
A Researcher’s Travels, Tools, and Techniques
JAMES GOFF
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Goff, James R. (James Rodney), 1959– author.
Title: In search of ancient tsunamis : a researcher’s travels, tools, and techniques / James Goff.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press, [2023] |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022040716 (print) | LCCN 2022040717 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780197675984 (hardback) | ISBN 9780197676004 | ISBN 9780197675991 (epub) |
ISBN 9780197676011 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Tsunamis—Research. | Natural disasters—History.
Classification: LCC GC221.2 .G64 2023 (print) | LCC GC221.2 (ebook) |
DDC 551.46/37—dc23/eng/20221012
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022040716
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022040717
DOI: 10.1093/o so/ 9780197675984.001.0001
1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2
Printed by Sheridan Books, Inc., United States of America
To Genevieve— my inspiration and recipient of a seemingly endless stream of
words and thoughts, some of which I hope are worth listening to.

Contents
List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
1. S erendipity— An Introduction 1
2. S trand 1: December 26, 2004—I ndian Ocean 21
3. S trand 2: Same Time, Different Places 55
4. S trand 3: New Light through Old Windows 73
5. S trand 4: Chatham Islands—R ekohu/W harekauri— How Big? 101
6. S trand 5: Just Part of the Problem 123
7. S trand 6: The Human Touch 147
8. S trand 7: Piled Higher and Deeper 171
9. S trand 8: A Country with Latitude 199
10. S trand 9: Life and Death on the Edge 225
11. S trand 10: The Future 239
Bibliography 243
Index 255

Illustrations
Figures
1.1 Hector Norman McLeod’s map of Miramar Peninsula showing the
site of the whale remains 5
1.2 The main tsunami energy from the ad 1868 and ad 1960 Chilean tsunamis
is governed primarily by the orientation of the subduction zone 18
2.1 Rikuzentakata: The Miracle Pine Tree—o nly survivor of a
coastal forest destroyed by the 2011 Japan tsunami 30
2.2 Henderson Bay, northern New Zealand 34
2.3 Dog’s Breakfast Deposit, West Coast, New Zealand 50
3.1 Southwest Pacific— Current estimated extent of two mid-1 5th- century
paleotsunamis 61
3.2 Tongoa, Vanuatu— Carbonized tree 67
4.1 Ōkārito Lagoon tree ages 81
4.2 Tsunami pedestals near Kesunnuma, Japan 89
5.1 Arica after the earthquake (1868)—l ooking southwest 103
5.2 Chatham Island, New Zealand 105
5.3 Huge coral limestone boulder near Fahefa, Tongatapu Island, Tonga 115
6.1 Haast dune system 133
6.2 Christchurch area 136
7.1 Waitore sits on the coast adjacent to a seemingly endless number
of underwater faults 151
7.2 Tel Ashkelon— detail of the cliff section 158
7.3 The southwest Pacific Ocean 161
8.1 Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island 180
8.2 Tanna, Vanuatu— the sign on the Banyan tree 191
9.1 Rusting iron ribs of the Peruvian warship Americana 209
9.2 Parque Centenario, Arica, Chile 210
9.3 Caleta Vitor—i t’s up here somewhere! 212