Immersive Virtual Reality Tsunami Evacuation Model using High-Resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery and Numerical Simulation

Traditional tsunami risk communication tools, such as static inundation maps and educational videos, often lack interactivity and realism, which can limit community engagement and preparedness. In this study, an immersive virtual reality (VR) tsunami evacuation model was developed by integrating high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery and numerical simulation. The model was implemented in Ancon Bay, Lima, Peru, a tsunami-prone coastal zone of Central Peru.

Oblique UAV photogrammetry was used to generate a detailed 3D model of the study area, which was subsequently processed to produce a digital terrain model (DTM) suitable for both numerical modeling and VR integration. A high-resolution tsunami simulation was conducted using the TUNAMI-N2 model under a worst-case scenario that may affect the Central Peru subduction zone. The output inundation data, including flow depths and arrival times, were incorporated into the virtual environment to simulate flood progression over time.

The 3D model and simulation results were imported into a commercial game engine to construct an interactive VR system. This system allows users to explore evacuation routes, observe tsunami impacts from a first-person perspective, and engage with key preparedness elements such as signage, warning systems, and emergency protocols. The application provided an immersive and context-specific risk communication tool, designed to enhance public understanding and institutional training for tsunami evacuation.

This model demonstrates the feasibility of combining UAV-based photogrammetry, numerical modeling, and immersive visualization for disaster risk reduction. The approach is replicable in other coastal areas and offers a novel tool to bridge the gap between scientific hazard assessments and community-level preparedness strategies.