Interpretation of the tsunami trace triggered by 1944 Tonankai earthquake in south Owase City using U.S. military aerial photographs

Abstract

Tonankai earthquake (M7.9) that occurred 7 Dec 1944 triggered serious tsunami damages along the coast of Kii Peninsula.  Just after three days U.S. military investigated the condition by reconnaisance flight and recorded it as aerial photographs, 1:16,000 scale.  Previous studies mainly reported the condition in central part of Owase City, Mie Pref. by aerial photographs interpretaion.  In this study we focus on the south Owase City and report the disaster condition by interpretaion of the aerial photographs.