Abstract. The generation of a tsunami by a landslide is a complex
phenomenon that involves landslide dynamics, wave dynamics and their
interaction. Numerous lives and infrastructures around the world are
threatened by this phenomenon. Predictive numerical models are a suitable
tool to assess this natural hazard. However, the complexity of this
phenomenon causes such models to be either computationally inefficient or
unable to handle the overall process. Our model, which is based on shallow-water equations, has been developed to address these two problems. In our
model, the two materials are treated as two different layers, and their
interaction is resolved by momentum transfer inspired by elastic collision
principles. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the validity of our
model through benchmark tests based on physical experiments performed by
Miller et al. (2017). A dry case is reproduced to validate the behaviour of
the landslide propagation model using different rheological laws and to
determine which law performs best. In addition, a wet case is reproduced to
investigate the influence of different still-water levels on both the
landslide deposit and the generated waves. The numerical results are in good
agreement with the physical experiments, thereby confirming the validity of
our model, particularly concerning the novel momentum transfer approach.