Earthquake and resulting tsunami could devastate L.A. and the west coast

  By Michael Webster: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Sept 5, 2013 at 12:05 PM PDT     If a new big earthquake similar to the 9.2 quake that hit Alaska or the 9.1 that struck off the coast of Japan, were to hit closer to the west coast tsunami waves would rush toward California, swamping the nation's largest port cities along the coast and causing major economic damage.   That's according to a hypothetical scenario released Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey and others to help emergency planners prepare. Tsunamis are a rare but real threat in California. After the 2011 Japan disaster, tsunami waves surged across Pacific and damaged the Northern California commercial fishing village of Crescent City. Scientists say a closer offshore quake would create more havoc, flooding the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, forcing coastal communities to evacuate and destroying boats and small craft. According to the government the tsunami scenario is similar to a quake exercise released several years ago designed to prepare for a big one on the San Andreas Fault. While scientists can't predict when a great earthquake producing a pan-Pacific tsunami will occur, thanks to new tools being developed by federal and state officials, scientists can now offer more accurate insight into the likely impacts when tsunamis occur. This knowledge can lead officials and the public to reduce the risk of the future tsunamis that will impact California. What are the potential economic impacts? Which marinas could be destroyed? Who needs to be prepared for evacuations? A newly published report looks at these factors and more. A hypothetical yet plausible scenario was developed where a tsunami is created by an earthquake offshore from the Alaskan peninsula and extends to the California coast. This is detailed in a new report titled, the U.S. Geological Survey's Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Tsunami Scenario. Some of the issues highlighted in the scenario include public safety and economic loss. In this scenario approximately 750,000 people would need to be evacuated, with 90,000 of those being tourists and visitors. Additionally, one-third of the boats in California's marinas could be damaged or completely sunk, resulting in $700 million in losses. It was concluded that neither of California's nuclear power plants would likely be damaged by this particular event. The USGS reported that looking back to 2011, not only was Japan devastated by the magnitude 9.1 Tohoku earthquake, but the resulting tsunami also swept through California and caused $50-100 million of damage. This shows that tsunamis near and far can lead to billions of dollars in losses in California.   The SAFRR Tsunami Scenario is a collaborative effort between the USGS, the California Geological Survey, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other agencies, and academic and other institutions. "The good news is that three-quarters of California's coastline is cliffs, and thus immune to the harsher and more devastating impacts tsunamis could pose," said Lucy Jones, who is the USGS Science Advisor for Risk Reduction and leads the SAFRR Project. "The bad news is that the one-quarter at risk is some of the most economically valuable property in California." "In order to effectively protect communities from tsunamis, we must first know what to plan for," continued Jones. "By starting with science, there is a clearer understanding on how tsunamis function and their potential impacts. The scenario will serve as a long-lasting resource to raise awareness and provide scientifically-sound and unbiased information to decision makers in California and abroad." In this scenario, scientists specifically outline the likely inundation areas, current velocities in key ports and harbors, physical damage and repair costs; economic consequences; environmental impacts; social vulnerability; emergency management; and policy implications for California. This scenario will also be the focus of discussion at a workshop series that started yesterday September 4 that is convened in partnership with the California Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.   USGS scientists and partners will explain the scenario and results to stakeholders in the coastal communities of California. The workshops aims to establish a community of experts while fostering the use of science in decision-making. The workshops will be hosted by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (September 4); Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (September 5); San Diego County Office of Emergency Management (September 6); Santa Cruz County Office of Emergency Management (September 9); and the Port of San Francisco (September 10). The SAFRR Project is the same USGS research group that produced the ShakeOut Scenario in 2008, examining the consequences of a probable major earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault, and the ARkStorm Scenario in 2011, examining the risks associated with extreme rain events associated with atmospheric rivers. US Response & Plans To get personally involved go to: www.uscda.us National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Tsunami Risk Reduction for the United States: A Framework for Action (2005) - sdr Subcommittee on disaster reduction (sdr) US Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program and NOAA's role - US Government - USAID · Michael Webster is publisher of the Laguna Journal & the U.S. Border Fire Report on line newspapers and a Syndicated Investigative Reporter ·  Michael Webster Syndicated Investigative Reports are read worldwide, in 100 or more U.S. outlets and in at least 136 countries and territories. He publishes articles in association with global news agencies and media information services with more than 350 news affiliates in 136 countries.  He served as a trustee on trade Union funds. A noted Author, Lecturer, Educator, Emergency Manager, Counter-Terrorist, War on Drugs and War on Terrorist Specialist, Newspaper Publisher. Radio News caster. Labor Law generalist, Teamster Union Business Agent, General Organizer, Union Rank and File Member Grievances Representative, NLRB Union Representative, Union Contract Negotiator, Workers Compensation Appeals Board Hearing Representative. Mr. Webster represented management on that side of the table as the former Director of Federated of Nevada. Mr. Webster publishes on-line newspapers at www.lagunajournal.com  and www.usborderfirereport.com  and does investigative reports for print, electronic and on-line News Agencies.  · Contact Mr. Webster mvwsr@aol.com