Some complications and limitations came with developing a vulnerability assessment for Port Alberni. First, the topographic data is mostly based off 30 meter DEM. The results could have been more accurate if a DEM with a higher resolution was found. Second, the data fusion process was decided upon based on a lack of better options. Rather than present a result with baseless assumptions, a range of results that can be interpreted by the client was chosen as a suitable solution. The drawback is that it does not present a definitive result, but rather many options from which to choose. Third, the safe points chosen for the Network Analysis were not assessed to see whether they could or would be willing to support a large number of people in the case of an emergency such as a tsunami. In addition, the bridges that were chosen to fail in one of the Network Analysis were not examined for structural strength and ability to withstand tsunami strength waves.
Demographic vulnerability could be further enhanced using block level data, but detailed data are not available for the block level. The decision to split the DA vulnerability index values into quintiles for representation may have an adverse effect on the data. However, since only a minority of residents are in very high risk areas, this bias seems apprpriate. The Indian Reservations can be assumed to be at a high level of social vulnerability but two reserves (in white) are outside of the overall tsunami hazard.
As always an overall lack of data means that relevant factors for which data did not exist were not taken into consideration making it a very incomplete depiction of tsunami vulnerability in the Port Alberni Area. There also exists a lot of controversy surrounding the effectiveness of the warning towers mentioned in the "conclusions" section, as their overall design and effectivness may prove to be an issue in the event of a megathrust earthquake generated tsunami.
We would like to thank our professor, Dr. Nadine Schuurman and our TA, Michael Martin for their advice and guidance throughout the project. As well, the expert opinion of Dr. John Clague has helped us fine-tune our analysis and improve the overall result.