TSUNAMI ATTACKS ON IRANIAN COASTLINES; HISTORY AND PREDICTION

Even though tsunami events are rare along Iranian coastlines, they should not be completely ignored because of the destructive forces of tsunamis that are able to cause a major loss of life and injury as well as the property damages. In this study, a historical survey of tsunami attacks on Iranian coastlines is presented and the possibility of the occurrence of tsunamis along the coasts of the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is investigated. It is shown that Oman Sea coastline is the most vulnerable part of the Iranian coasts for both tsunamis and tropical storms. Considering the economical and social importance of Chabahar Bay, the probable water level rise in the bay due to an probable sever earthquake resulting from Mekran fault is investigated. The predicted results can be utilized for the development of possible countermeasures.