The
most vulnerable states for tsunami risk are: Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California (and the
U.S. Caribbean islands). The 1964 Alaska tsunami led to 110 deaths, some
as far away as Crescent City, California. A tsunami that originated along the
Washington, Oregon, and California coasts in 1700 overran Native American
fishing camps and caused damage in Japan.
As always in geology, learning
from the past will tell us what might happen in the future. A map of tsunami
events from the year 900 to 1964 (USGS
image) tells the tale. These events were caused by earthquakes ranging in
magnitudes 9.2 to 7.3. These are areas that could be hit again.
What do we do?
Well, as the figure shows, in
case of ‘earthqake’, run to higher
ground immediately and go to Finland…(:
Also, there are several institutions
with great resources/warning systems we should monitor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's website has updated information on tsunami watches,
warnings or advisories for the US. NOAA also has a tsunami strategic plan
describing their recommendations/vision for 2012-2020 and how to make US more resilient
and prepared for tsunamis.
Closer to home, the Department
of Conservation in California has downloadable tsunami inundation maps that
show the areas at risk (in pink, different from the flooding risk maps that are
blue). The map near Marina, where the MPC Education
Center is located and I teach sometimes, shows the area near the Salinas
river as a completely inundated area.
Good to know..
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