Researcher Information

YAMANAKA Yusuke

Associate Professor

Investigation of earthquakes and tsunamis for developing reasonable mitigation strategies

Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Ocean Bottom Seismology and Tsunami

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Theme

Estimation of tsunami and earthquake characteristics

FieldTsunami, Earthquake, Disaster prevention and mitigation
KeywordGeneration, propagation, inundation, and run-up of tsunamis, Rupture process of great earthquakes, Coastal disaster and disaster prevention

Introduction of Research

My major research interests are tsunamis and numerical modeling of them. Predictive skills for tsunami behavior have rapidly developed over the last several decades. Based on numerical simulation, we can now reasonably estimate tsunami propagation and inundation resulting from an offshore sea surface deformation. However, the numerical results do not necessarily reflect the actual tsunami behaviors accurately, especially in nearshore and inundated areas, because of uncertainties in the modeling. Based on these situations, in my studies, observational and/or experimental studies are sometimes carried out to support the numerical results for a tsunami phenomenon. Using these results from the different approaches, we will achieve a comprehensive understanding of tsunami dynamics.

Representative Achievements

Nearshore Propagation and Amplification of the Tsunami Following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Japan, Y. Yamanaka, Y. Matsuba, T.Shimozono, and Y. Tajima, Geophysical Research Letters, 51(19), e2024GL110231, 2024.
Tsunami waveform inversion using Green’s functions with advection effects: application to the 2003 Tokachi–Oki earthquake, Y.Yamanaka & Y. Tanioka, Earth Planets Space, 76(1), 71, 2024.
Real-time tsunami forecasting system with nonlinear effects using Green’s functions: application to near-shore tsunami behavior in complex bay topography, Y.Yamanaka, K. Hashimoto, and Y. Tajima, Coastal Engineering Journal, 65(4), 546-559, 2023.
Academic background2009 Department of Civil Eng., National Institute of Technology, Wakayama College (A.B. Eng.)
2011 Department of Civil Eng., Nagaoka University of Technology (B.Eng.)
2013 Department of Civil Eng., The University of Tokyo (M. Eng.)
2016 Department of Civil Eng., The University of Tokyo (Dr. Eng.)
2013 JSPS Research Fellow (DC)
2016 JSPS Research Fellow (PD)
2017 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Eng., The University of Tokyo
2021 Lecturer, Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Hokkaido University
2025 Current Position
Affiliated academic societyJapan Society of Civil Engineers, The Seismological Society of Japan, Japan Geoscience Union
Room addressScience Bld. 4

Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Ocean Bottom Seismology and Tsunami

YAMANAKA Yusuke

Associate Professor

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What is the research theme that you are currently focusing on?

I study tsunamis, mainly by modeling their generation, propagation, and inundation. This research helps us understand tsunami dynamics and develop disaster-prevention strategies. As related topics, I also study the mechanisms of large earthquakes and volcanic activity using tsunami simulations. In some cases, major earthquakes can only be investigated through tsunami research.
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What made you decide to become a researcher?

At first, I considered becoming a researcher, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to study. Then the Great East Japan Earthquake happened in 2011. I started studying the tsunami from that disaster, and I finally decided to become a tsunami researcher.
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Who is the researcher you respect most and why?

I respect all the professors who have guided and supported me. I have learned many things from them, and each professor has taught me carefully, thoroughly, and with high standards. I understand that my current way of thinking and my research style are strongly influenced by the professors who have supervised me.
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Please tell us your stories until you became a researcher.

When I was a graduate student, I stayed abroad for a short time to do research. This experience made me interested in doing research overseas. I think it is very good to have international research experiences early on, even if it is only for a week or just a few days. It can be for a conference, a meeting, or anything related to research. Such experiences really help broaden your perspective.

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