• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.8-17
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• 2008

Wrenching climatic changes due to ecocide and global wanning are producing a natural disaster. Coastal zones have been damaged by typhoons and accompanying storm surges. Severe waves, and destruction of the environment are adding to the severity of coastal disasters. There has been an increased interest in these coastal zone problems, and associated social confusion, after the loss of life and terrible property damage caused by typhoon Maemi. Especially if storm surges coincide with high ticks, the loss of life and property damage due to high waters are even worse. Therefore, it is desirable to accurately forecast not only the timing of storm surges but also the amount water level increase. Such forecasts are very important from the view point of coastal defense. In this study, using a numerical model, storm surge was simulated to examine its fluctuation characteristics for the coastal area behind Masan Bay, Korea. In the numerical model, a moving boundary condition was incorporated to explain wave run-up. Numerically predicted inundation regimes and depths were compared with measurements from a field survey. Comparisons of the numerical results and measured data show a very good correlation. The numerical model adapted in this study is expected to be a useful tool for analysis of storm surges, and for predicting inundation regimes due to coastal flooding by severe water waves.