Question #2: I live in Point Loma, at an altitude of 17 feet above sea level, 24
ID: 114716 • Letter: Q
Question
Question #2:
I live in Point Loma, at an altitude of 17 feet above sea level, 240 meters from Point Loma Sportfishing. Should I be concerned about preparations in the event of a tsunami generated by an earthquake off the coast of Chile (like the one in 2010)? The answer is, yes I am 'concerned' although in 2010 the tsunami did considerable damage in both San Diego Bay and Mission Bay, but did not rise up over the sidewalk. My questions to you, though:
A) What is the altitude above sea level at you residence? Where you work? Along your customary route of travel? Have you considered those 'Tsunami Evacuation Route' signs you may have seen along the coast?
B) Please explain the different ways a great earthquake like Tohoku 2011, Alaska 1964 or Cascadia 1700 can generate an ocean-crossing tsunami.
Explanation / Answer
A. The recommended evacuation elevation during a tsunami is 20meters above sea level. Here you are at 17feet. So nearly 5m. So definetitely you need to evacuate.
B. Most earthquakes occur at above 4.5 magnitudes. If they occur above 9.5 like in case of chile coast in 1960, it wilo be an ocean crossing, devastating tsunami.