PROGRESS IN THE STUDY OF TSUNAMI DEPOSITS IN THE PAST 20 YEARS

Tsunami is one of the severe natural disasters along the coastal region. The deposits transported by tsunami waves are defined as tsunami deposits. The tsunami deposits contain much information about the past and present tsunami events. About 20 years ago, few researches had been devoted to tsunami deposits. In the past 20 years, however, the tsunami deposits have become the highlight of sedimentary geology in the world. In this paper, the main characteristics of the tsunami deposits are summarized. The main progress in the study of tsunami deposits, such as the diagnostic evidence of tsunami deposits, the distinction between tsunami deposits and storm deposits, the relationship between tsunami deposits and the run-up of the tsunami wave, the diversity of the tsunami deposits, and the preservation potential and occurrence frequency of tsunami deposits, as well as further study fields about tsunami deposits were discussed.