Revealing Potential Tsunami Inundation on California Coast

Alexandria, VA - Tsunami hazard maps exist for California coastlines, but recent geological studies have indicated that some faults may be capable of unleashing more powerful quakes than previously thought. Given this new information, researchers at the University of California Riverside wondered if the current tsunami hazard maps adequately predict inundation zones, or if they need to be updated.

To test their idea, they modeled an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 on the Red Mountain and Pitas Point submarine faults off the coast of Los Angeles. The resulting tsunami behaved predictably when it tracked northward, but to the south the tsunami flooded much farther inland than current projections predict. Read the entire story in the February issue of EARTH Magazine at: http://Awww.earthmagazine.org/article/revealing-potential-tsunami-inundation-california-coast.

From humans to hazards, geoscience affects everyday life

In the February 2016 Issue of EARTH Magazine, explore what actually killed the dinosaurs, and how geoscience is informing how to feed Earth’s future populations. Also included are updates on research on earthquake and tsunami triggering subduction zones and the origin of land-plants. Participate in regular contests such as the monthly “Where on EARTH” photo hunt, and geoscience-themed puzzles. All this, and more at www.earthmagazine.org.

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