Most of the tsunamis observed in California have been small, causing a slight rise in water levels in coastal areas and little damage. But whether generated by local or distant sources, such as earthquakes in the Alaska subduction zone, tsunamis have caused death and destruction in the state’s coastal communities.
Here’s a look at some of the state’s historic tsunamis.
January 26, 1700: There are no written records, but scientists have reconstructed the event using geological evidence, oral histories, and Japanese documents that describe waves along the coast of that country during the day. A strong earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which runs from Cape Mendocino to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, likely generated a 50-foot tsunami in northern California.
Seismologists assure the “Great Earthquake” could be felt at any moment.
December 21, 1812: The low-lying areas of Santa Barbara and Ventura were flooded and damage to nearby ships was reported due to the powerful waves. Researchers have theorized that a landslide triggered by an earthquake caused the tsunami.
April 1, 1946: An earthquake in the Alaska subduction zone generated this tsunami, which caused flooding about 1,000 feet inland at Half Moon Bay on California’s central coast.
March 28, 1964: The most devastating west coast tsunami on record was generated by a deadly 9.2 magnitude earthquake in Alaska. It caused strong waves that hit coastal areas, including the Northern California community of Crescent City, where 11 people were killed. A sudden rise of about 20 feet in height flooded nearly 30 city blocks, according to the Department of Conservation. A total of more than 100 people died in the tsunami area, from Alaska and on the Pacific coasts of Canada and the United States.
March 11, 2011: Although not as destructive as the 1964 tsunami, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in Japan’s Tohoku region triggered strong tsunami currents that damaged ports along the California coast. One death was reported in connection with the tsunami. The worst damage was in Crescent City and Santa Cruz.
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