Characteristics of observed storm surge in the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Storm surge induced by typhoons is one of the most disastrous events in the Korean Peninsula (KP) with more than 2 typhoons occurrences in every year. In this study the characteristics of storm surge in the KP were investigated using the sea level data by Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration (KHOA) from 1959 to 2016. Among 135 typhoons which affected the KP, typhoons landed about 50 times on the west and the south coast of the KP, respectively. Within the limited observed date, the maximum storm surge heights in the eastern coast were relatively low because of blocked typhoon track and relatively deep bathymetry. On the other hand, the south western part of the KP has relative more storm surge records and Mokpo, a city in the southwest part in the KP, recorded 35 storm surge events (higher than 50cm) during 135 typhoon passages. The highest storm surge height of 2.1m occurred almost right on the high tide during Typhoon Maemi (0314) in Masan which locates on the south coast in the KP. In terms of the storm surge arrival time compared to the tidal phase, even considering limited data (50 typhoons landings), almost half of the recorded storm surges occurred during the flood phase. Moreover, tidal phase in cooperation with wind direction, for instance when the typhoon moved along the western coast (e.g. Typhoons Olga (9907) and Bolaven (1215)), some interesting features were observed at the tidal statioa level data by Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration (KHOA) from 1959 to 2016. Among 135 typhoons which affected the KP, typhoons landed about 50 times on the west and the south coast of the KP, respectively. Within the limited observed date, the maximum storm surge heights in the eastern coast were relatively low because of blocked typhoon track and relatively deep bathymetry. On the other hand, the south western part of the KP has relative more storm surge records and Mokpo, a city in the southwest part in the KP, recorded 35 storm surge events (higher than 50cm) during 135 typhoon passages. The highest storm surge height of 2.1m occurred almost right on the high tide during Typhoon Maemi (0314) in Masan which locates on the south coast in the KP. In terms of the storm surge arrival time compared to the tidal phase, even considering limited data (50 typhoons landings), almost half of the recorded storm surges occurred during the flood phase. Moreover, tidal phase in cooperation with wind direction, for instance when the typhoon moved along the western coast (e.g. Typhoons Olga (9907) and Bolaven (1215)), some interesting features were observed at the tidal statio