Brownbag Talks
Unraveling the Source of Large Erratic Boulders on Tonga:
Implications for Geohazards and Mega-Tsunamis
Matt Hornbach
UTIG Research Associate, PH.D.
SEMINAR OVERIEW:
In November 2007, Cliff Frohlich, Fred Taylor, and Matt Hornbach traveled to Tonga in search
of rumored reports of large out-of-place erratic boulders located along the
western flank of Tongatapu. During their expedition, the researchers found a
chain of massive coral boulders that had been deposit 100-400 m inland. Their
preliminary analysis suggests these boulders may represent the largest known tsunami
deposits on Earth (see attached photo). Analysis of boulder sizes and
locations combined with initial tsunami wave models indicates an unconventional
wave-triggering mechanism. Come hear Matt Hornbach discuss their preliminary
findings during this week's UTIG brownbag.
