The M9 earthquake that struck Japan on March 10, 2011, initiated a tsunami that traveled 10 hours to the coast of California. When the tsunami warning was issued, coastal county offices of emergency services were able to use the State’s Official Tsunami Inundation maps to focus their response. The California Geological Survey (CGS) works closely with the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) and the Tsunami Research Center at the University of California to produce these statewide tsunami inundation maps for California. The maps are also used by coastal communities to plan and coordinate emergency evacuation plans.
Use an Interactive Google Maps Interface to access Official Inundation Maps for Emergency Planning.
CGS is also the Scientific Representative for California on the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Coordinating Committee, a state and federal cooperative responsible for developing policies and standards for tsunami mitigation efforts in the United States and its territories.
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National Tsunami Preparedness Week
March 26-30, 2012
FREE tsunami education MATERIALS and activity ideas for schools, museums, and businesses in California are available (see links below)
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For emergency planners in coastal jurisdictions, the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) and the California Geological Survey (CGS) are available to support you regarding tsunami hazards in California, including your public education and outreach efforts for Tsunami Awareness Week. For more information on Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week resources and support available from CGS and Cal EMA, contact: |
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Cindy Pridmore
CGS Outreach/Seismic Hazards
California Geological Survey
801 K Street, MS 12-31
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-324-5572
cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov
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Kevin M. Miller
Earthquake & Tsunami Program
California Emergency Management Agency
1300 Clay Street, Suite 400,
Oakland, CA 94612
510-286-0817
Kevin.Miller@calema.ca.gov
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Click here to find out more about your tsunami risk where you live, work, or play
The California Geological Survey (CGS) provides geologic and seismic expertise to the public, other State government offices, such as the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA; formally known as the Governor's Office of Emergency Services), and local government agencies (cities and counties). For tsunami hazards, CGS is working closely with CalEMA and the Tsunami Research Center at the University of Southern California to produce statewide tsunami inundation maps and preparedness information for California. CGS is also the Scientific Representative for California on the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Coordinating Committee, a state and federal cooperative responsible for developing policies and standards for tsunami mitigation efforts in the United States and its territories.
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California's Recent Tsunamis 2009, 2010, and 2011: (click on the PDF documents below for more information)
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CGS and CalEMA have created a guidance document for assessing secondary hazards after a large local earthquake that could inhibit safe evacuation from tsunami hazard areas. Click here to view this document.
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For basic information about tsunami and their impacts to California, please visit the following website: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/Tsunami/Pages/About_Tsunamis.aspx
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 Tsunami Education Materials: Student worksheets, poster, videos, brochures, K-12 tsunami curriculum and activity links. |
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Statewide Tsunami Inundation Maps: Coordinated by CalEMA, these maps are developed for all populated areas at risk to tsunamis in California, and represent a combination of the maximum considered tsunamis for each area. Please also explore the links to the county/regional websites so that you know what to do during the next tsunami. Click here to download a poster describing the methodology for how the maps were created. (PDF Document - 4 MB)
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MY HAZARD Tsunami Website: CalEMA has created this user-friendly website where you can enter in your address and find out if you live within an area at risk to hazards from earthquakes, flooding, fire, and tsunami inundation.
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CGS Note – Tsunamis: This educational document is a companion to the statewide inundation maps. This is one in a series of CGS Notes devoted to different geologic features or hazards important to California.
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If you have any questions or comments about the CGS tsunami webpage, please email rick.wilson@conservation.ca.gov