EARTH: Revealing Potential Tsunami Inundation on California Coast

Tsunami hazard maps exist for California coastlines, but recent geological studies indicated 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.

Communicating Cascadia's Earthquake Risk

Friday, October 16, 2015

Overarching questions addressed in this webinar include:

What does geoscience tell us about the risk posed by the Cascadia subduction zone?
How is earthquake science used in the decision-making process?
What challenges do state and local decision makers face responding to the threat of large-scale earthquakes in their area?
How can information about earthquake risk be communicated effectively to decision makers and the public?
What actions are state and local decision makers taking to prepare for the risks posed by Cascadia and other similar faults? What other actions could be taken?

Our speakers include:

Chris Goldfinger, Oregon State University | Slides Video
Jeff Rubin, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue | Slides Video
Tom Brocher, Earthquake Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey | Slides Video

Webinar Co-Sponsors:
U.S. Geological Survey, Western States Seismic Policy Council, Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

View this webinar's Question & Answer session
U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2014-3083: ShakeAlert: an earthquake early warning system for the United States West Coast
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1097: Technical implementation plan for the ShakeAlert production system: an Earthquake Early Warning system for the West Coast of the United States
Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup: Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquakes: A magnitude 9.0 earthquake scenario
(also available at: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries: Open-File Report 13-22 and Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources: Information Circular 116)
California Geological Survey Special Report 115: Planning Scenario in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California for a Great Earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone
Oregon Resilience Plan

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about earthquakes in the Cascadia region.

Communicating Cascadia's Earthquake Risk: The Science Behind the Cascadia Subduction Zone Risk

Dr. Hiroo Kanamori, Seismologist & Geophysicist, Recognized as the 2015 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist

The American Geosciences Institute is pleased to recognize Dr. Hiroo Kanamori with the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal at the 2015 American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention and Exposition. Kanamori has been described as "a towering figure in seismology and geophysics."

Interactive map of natural hazards worldwide

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's natural hazards viewer shows a variety of recent and historic natural hazards around the world. The interactive map provides data for a range of natural hazards, including tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Users can select individual hazards to learn more about the date of occurrence, location, severity, economic impact, and social impact.

Click here to use the NOAA natural hazards viewer

Interactive map of estimated tsunami travel times to coastal locations

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami travel times map displays the estimated pre-computed tsunami travel times to select coastal locations from any point in the ocean. The tsunami travel times displayed are in hours and were calculated using TTT software. It is important to note that the travel times shown on the map are estimates and should be used general information only. In the event of an actual tsunami, please visit tsunami.gov for real-time tsunami information.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee advances tsunami warning bill

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee marked up and passed the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015 (H.R.34) on February 26.

Interactive map of Washington's geology and natural resources

The Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources' interactive map of Washington provides a huge variety of information on the state's geology and natural resources, including:

Interactive map of geohazards in Oregon

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries statewide geohazard viewer, HazVu, provides a way to view a range of geohazards in the state of Oregon,including:

Earthquakes - active faults, historical epicenters, expected shaking, and liquefaction hazards
Tsunami inundation hazard
Volcanoes
Landslides - historical landslides and landslide susceptibility
Floods
Coastal erosion

The map also includes public buildings so that hazards can be assessed for these locations.

House passes bills on tsunami and windstorm research

On January 7, the House passed two bills that focus on research and preparedness for tsunami and windstorm hazards.

American Geosciences Institute

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