Funwave-based open-access mapping applications (FUNMAP) applied to Tsunami modelling from the Manila Trench to Manila Bay, Philippines

Raquel Felix; Elaine  Hui Zhi Tan; Masashi Watanabe; Andrea Verolino; Jun  Yu Puah; Adam D. Switzer

doi:10.1186/s40562-025-00422-5

Funwave-based open-access mapping applications (FUNMAP) applied to Tsunami modelling from the Manila Trench to Manila Bay, Philippines

Raquel Felix
, Elaine Hui Zhi Tan
, Masashi Watanabe
, Andrea Verolino
, Jun Yu Puah
, Adam D. Switzer

Nanyang Technological University
University of Southampton
Earth Observatory of Singapore
Asian School of the Environment

Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

Abstract

Developing user-friendly applications bridges the gap between models and target users, aiding in more efficient learning and optimizing workflow. In this study, we contribute to bridging this gap in the tsunami modelling community by developing two offline, free standalone applications: the Input and Output FUNMAP apps. These tools are built on the open-source Fully Nonlinear Boussinesq Wave Model - Total Variation Diminishing version (FUNWAVE-TVD), a well-established and extensively validated model. The Input app assists in setting up simulation input files and running the FUNWAVE executable, while issuing visual warnings to help prevent errors. The Output app processes simulation results to generate wave height and current maps, as well as virtual gauge plots, with export options compatible with GIS and vector editing platforms. We tested the apps using sample cases from FUNWAVE-TVD and applied them to simulate tsunami hazards in Manila Bay, Philippines, under a hypothetical Mw 8.8 earthquake scenario along the southern Manila Trench. The results show that the presence of the submarine canyon at the bay entrance, along with the complex coastlines of Luzon, Lubang, and Mindoro Islands, influences the arrival of multiple waves in Manila Bay. The highest waves were observed at the bay entrance headlands and southern coasts, with high current velocities expected along the entire coastline. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the FUNMAP apps in generating tsunami simulation maps and plots.

Original language	English
Article number	49
Journal	Geoscience Letters
Volume	12
Early online date	16 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s40562-025-00422-5
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 16 Oct 2025

Data Availability Statement

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Acknowledgements

We extend our gratitude to Edwin Tan Seng Tat for his valuable assistance in supporting us on utilising the High Performance Computing at Nanyang Technological University High Performance Computing Centre (NTU HPC). Thanks to his support, we were able to conduct the tsunami simulations using the HPC. The authors gratefully acknowledge Nick McCullen from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and Roberto Scipioni from the Research Computing Group at the University of Bath (doi.org/10.15125/b6cd-s854), for their support and guidance in using the University of Bath’s HPC.

Funding

This research is supported by the Earth Observatory of Singapore via its funding from the National Research Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Education under the Research Centres of Excellence initiative. This work comprises EOS contribution number 632.

Keywords

Standalone Tsunami modelling apps
FUNWAVE apps
FUNMAP
Tsunami model apps
Manila Bay tsunami
Manila Trench tsunami

Access to Document

10.1186/s40562-025-00422-5Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Funwave-based open-access mapping applications (FUNMAP) applied to Tsunami modelling from the Manila Trench to Manila Bay, Philippines",

abstract = "Developing user-friendly applications bridges the gap between models and target users, aiding in more efficient learning and optimizing workflow. In this study, we contribute to bridging this gap in the tsunami modelling community by developing two offline, free standalone applications: the Input and Output FUNMAP apps. These tools are built on the open-source Fully Nonlinear Boussinesq Wave Model - Total Variation Diminishing version (FUNWAVE-TVD), a well-established and extensively validated model. The Input app assists in setting up simulation input files and running the FUNWAVE executable, while issuing visual warnings to help prevent errors. The Output app processes simulation results to generate wave height and current maps, as well as virtual gauge plots, with export options compatible with GIS and vector editing platforms. We tested the apps using sample cases from FUNWAVE-TVD and applied them to simulate tsunami hazards in Manila Bay, Philippines, under a hypothetical Mw 8.8 earthquake scenario along the southern Manila Trench. The results show that the presence of the submarine canyon at the bay entrance, along with the complex coastlines of Luzon, Lubang, and Mindoro Islands, influences the arrival of multiple waves in Manila Bay. The highest waves were observed at the bay entrance headlands and southern coasts, with high current velocities expected along the entire coastline. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the FUNMAP apps in generating tsunami simulation maps and plots. ",

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author = "Raquel Felix and \{Hui Zhi Tan\}, Elaine and Masashi Watanabe and Andrea Verolino and \{Yu Puah\}, Jun and Switzer, \{Adam D.\}",

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AU - Felix, Raquel

AU - Hui Zhi Tan, Elaine

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AU - Verolino, Andrea

AU - Yu Puah, Jun

AU - Switzer, Adam D.

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N2 - Developing user-friendly applications bridges the gap between models and target users, aiding in more efficient learning and optimizing workflow. In this study, we contribute to bridging this gap in the tsunami modelling community by developing two offline, free standalone applications: the Input and Output FUNMAP apps. These tools are built on the open-source Fully Nonlinear Boussinesq Wave Model - Total Variation Diminishing version (FUNWAVE-TVD), a well-established and extensively validated model. The Input app assists in setting up simulation input files and running the FUNWAVE executable, while issuing visual warnings to help prevent errors. The Output app processes simulation results to generate wave height and current maps, as well as virtual gauge plots, with export options compatible with GIS and vector editing platforms. We tested the apps using sample cases from FUNWAVE-TVD and applied them to simulate tsunami hazards in Manila Bay, Philippines, under a hypothetical Mw 8.8 earthquake scenario along the southern Manila Trench. The results show that the presence of the submarine canyon at the bay entrance, along with the complex coastlines of Luzon, Lubang, and Mindoro Islands, influences the arrival of multiple waves in Manila Bay. The highest waves were observed at the bay entrance headlands and southern coasts, with high current velocities expected along the entire coastline. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the FUNMAP apps in generating tsunami simulation maps and plots.

AB - Developing user-friendly applications bridges the gap between models and target users, aiding in more efficient learning and optimizing workflow. In this study, we contribute to bridging this gap in the tsunami modelling community by developing two offline, free standalone applications: the Input and Output FUNMAP apps. These tools are built on the open-source Fully Nonlinear Boussinesq Wave Model - Total Variation Diminishing version (FUNWAVE-TVD), a well-established and extensively validated model. The Input app assists in setting up simulation input files and running the FUNWAVE executable, while issuing visual warnings to help prevent errors. The Output app processes simulation results to generate wave height and current maps, as well as virtual gauge plots, with export options compatible with GIS and vector editing platforms. We tested the apps using sample cases from FUNWAVE-TVD and applied them to simulate tsunami hazards in Manila Bay, Philippines, under a hypothetical Mw 8.8 earthquake scenario along the southern Manila Trench. The results show that the presence of the submarine canyon at the bay entrance, along with the complex coastlines of Luzon, Lubang, and Mindoro Islands, influences the arrival of multiple waves in Manila Bay. The highest waves were observed at the bay entrance headlands and southern coasts, with high current velocities expected along the entire coastline. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the FUNMAP apps in generating tsunami simulation maps and plots.

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ER -

Funwave-based open-access mapping applications (FUNMAP) applied to Tsunami modelling from the Manila Trench to Manila Bay, Philippines

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Acknowledgements

Funding

Keywords

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