The
most vulnerable states 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, the past will help us understand 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..
This is very useful information. We cannot
forget the Japan 2011 tsunami was felt in the other side of the Pacific, Santa
Cruz, California. Remember the harbor video?
Wow this is a really great post, from now on I'm going to try and make mine more informative like yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy about the 1964 Alaskan Tsunami, and how far down the north west coast it came down. It's scary to think because when I commercial fish(off rodeo season), we go all the way to crescent city and I could never imagine being 40 miles off of the coast in international waters and have that happen. Plus you can't out run a rogue wave like a tsunami when your on a commercial boat.
Also what you posted about the Santa Cruz harbor, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was young and dumb so I went to the wharf in Monterey, nothing happened except the waves were larger and the water came past the del Monte beach house and there was sea weed everywhere. I remember seeing hundreds of Mexicans on Pacheco pass with all of their vehicles packed with anything you can imagine. It was funny at the time cause nothing happened but if something did happen then they had a good plan!
Yes, Crescent City has had tsunami hits in the past (and dead tolls too, including in 2011)... Some would argue that is there is tsunami, being offshore is a good thing (you will not 'feel' the wave/s that far offshore)...a rogue wave is another story...those are scary...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, when there is a tsunami warning, you shouldnt be running to the water, but the opposite direction ! (:....now you now better.
Even though California does suffer a tsunami risk, our odds for a destructive hazard lean much closer to an earthquake. It could be my personal ignorance, but I wouldn't necessarily feel much fear or worry to be affected by a terrible tsunami in this lifetime. Of course, it's always a risk, but I feel like the earthquake that would cause the destructive tsunami would kill most of us long before the surging waters reached our shores and inland areas. As always, it is bext to not tempt the Earth because it has the power each moment to ruin everything for us all.
ReplyDeleteInteresting enough, in our area, where San Andreas is located, most people are aware of the fault but I'd argue that nobody is sleepless at night because of it...In the case of tsunamis in the west coast (except for maybe off the Cascadia area), you are right, that taking basic precautions like staying away from the waterline, is enough. The problems start when there is a tsunami advisory (like today) and people go to the water to see if they can 'see the tsunami wave', take pics, etc..that is when people get killed..like in the last 2011 tsunami event in Crescent city.
ReplyDelete