ITEM TITLE:
Tsunami: Science and Effects
SUBMITTED BY: Bart Hinkle, Chief of Police
FISCAL NOTES:
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RECOMMENDATION:
Presentation with time allotted for Q & A specific to the presentation materials. Discussion on local preparations and decision making on the agenda of the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Dr. Elena Suleimani holds a B.S. Degree in Radiophysics and Electronics from the Gorky State University, Russia, a M.S. degree in Physical Oceanography from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She did research in the area of nonlinear dynamics of tsunami waves at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1986-1993), and later she studied numerical modeling of tsunami waves at the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (1993-1996).
Dr. Suleimani is currently at the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks and is working on tsunami inundation mapping for Alaska coastal communities. Her key areas of tsunami expertise/interest are: Numerical modeling of tsunami waves generated by tectonic, volcanic and landslide sources.
Dr. Suleimani regularly conducts Tsunami education and outreach in Alaska coastal communities, including previous occasions in Valdez.
This trip, in addition to the presentation at the Council work session, Dr. Suleimani has committed to a presentation for the City of Valdez Incident Management Team, Gilson Middle School, Valdez High School, the United States Coast Guard, and local and key Valdez stakeholders.
Dr. Suleimani will spend time with Seed Media conducting a presentation, interviewing, and providing soundbites for a Tsunami Educational Video that will then be made available to the public, including vignettes shown at locations such as the movie theater during previews.
The presentation for the Council Work Session is focused on the science and effects of a Tsunami. It is meant to further the understanding of how tsunamis are generated and how they can be accurately modeled and predicted, assisting the decision-making process of local communities.
During the discussion item on the regular Council Meeting agenda, City Administration will then comment on how the information provided by Dr. Suleimani assists and shapes decision making as it pertains to evacuation notifications, sheltering, and warning systems being activated.