Brief Communication: Cetaceans and tsunamis – whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

• Main Authors: J. R. Goff, C. Chagué-Goff
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2009-06-01
• Series: Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/9/855/2009/nhess-9-855-2009.pdf

The composition of tsunami deposits is variable and governed by source material. Many unusual items have been recorded from tsunami deposits. For example, during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, a dolphin was reported to have been transported 1400 m inland, a shark was found in a hotel swimming pool, and sea turtles were stranded kilometers inland. Reports and papers from early settlers and explorers have often highlighted similar unusual finds. We briefly discuss an example from New Zealand where intact cetacean skeletons were found elevated on land adjacent to the coast. The validity of this find as evidence for tsunami emplacement is considered. It is also noted that such old reports should be treated with respect and re-evaluated in the light of more recent findings.