Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Great Japan quake generates 8-foot tsunami in California

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 11:00 PM GMT on March 11, 2011

A great earthquake rocked the coast of Japan at 5:46 GMT on March 11, generating a dangerous tsunami that raced across the Pacific. The mighty earthquake was rated 8.9 on the Richter scale, making it the 7th most powerful tremor in world history. The world's 8th largest earthquake, a magnitude 8.8 event, hit Chile on February 27, 2010; never before have two top-ten earthquakes hit so close together in time. Today's quake was the strongest in Japanese history, and will likely be the most expensive natural disaster in world history, surpassing the $133+ billion dollar price tag from Hurricane Katrina.

Figure 1. Model-computed energy from the March 11, 2011 tsunami as visualized by the NOAA Visualization Lab.

In the U.S., the highest tsunami waves from the earthquake hit northern California and southern Oregon, with a wave height of 8.1 feet observed at Crescent City, CA, 8.6 feet at Port San Luis, CA, 8.7 feet at Arena Cove, CA, and 6.1 feet at Port Orford, OR. The tsunami swept four photographers out to sea in the Crescent City harbor, injuring three of them and leaving one missing. Extensive damage was done to the harbor and 35 boats. Up to $2 million in damage also occurred in the Santa Cruz harbor south of San Francisco.

Figure 2. Tide gauge at Crescent City, CA during the March 11, 2011 tsunami. The green line shows the height of the tsunami wave; the red line shows the observed water level. The highest tsunami wave came at at 17 UTC (9am PST), an hour and 10 minutes after the initial wave, and was 7 feet high. Image credit: NOAA.

Crescent City was hit by a devastating tsunami after the March 28, 1964 magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Alaska, which killed ten people in the city and destroyed much of the business district. The city is fortunate today that the tsunami hit at low tide, or else water levels would have been five feet higher in the city during the wave. The tide gauge at Crescent City, CA (Figure 2) shows that at least 18 separate tsunami waves have hit the harbor as of 2:45pm PST. The first wave came at about 15:50 UTC (7:50am PST), was about 2.5 feet high, and was not preceded by the ocean falling and water being sucked out to sea. After this initial wave, the ocean level dropped rapidly by 8 feet, and then a series of large waves began rushing in and out, with up to a 13 foot difference between low water and high water. The rapid speed of the in-rushing and outflowing waves were what did the damage to the harbor and its boats. The largest wave came at 17 UTC (9am PST), an hour and 10 minutes after the initial wave, and was 8.1 feet high. Fortunately, this wave came near the time of low tide, and the wave was only 2 feet above last night's high tide mark. Tidal range between low and high tide is about 5 feet at Crescent City. The tide is now rising, and new tsunami waves with height of 3 - 4 feet are still rushing in and out, with the one just before 21 UTC (1pm PST) reaching a height about 2 feet above high tide.

Figure 3. Propagation of the March 11, 2011 Honshu tsunami was computed with the NOAA forecast method using the MOST model with the tsunami source inferred from DART® data. From the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, located at NOAA PMEL in Seattle, WA.

Portlight.org is mobilizing to provide financial assistance to people with disabilities affected by the disaster, and there will undoubtedly be a huge relief effort by numerous charities in the wake of the earthquake. Your financial contributions and prayers for those affected will be valuable.

Jeff Masters

Waves (Feather3)

During our tsunami warning that had been downgraded to an advisory, this afternoon. It was getting closer to high tide, but it was strange, watching the surges: one minute, the beach was bare, and within minutes, a surge would build up as wave after wave, low, but surging, would inundate the beaches....more shots to come.

Categories: Earthquake

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1601. WatchingThisOne 9:53 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
New York Times - Radioactive Releases in Japan Could Last Months, Experts Say I linked to this article earlier. It is well worth a read. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1602. WatchingThisOne 9:59 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Here is the New York Times story about the USS Ronald Reagan passing through a cloud of radioactivity: NY Times Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1603. aquak9 10:04 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
g'morning all (lifts coffee cup weakly) Member Since: August 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25008

1604. WatchingThisOne 10:09 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Good morning Aqua - it's been a lonely night at WU. Half life of Plutonium-239 = 24,100 YEARS. A tidbit to brighten your day :) Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1605. aquak9 10:25 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
why a lonely night, WTO? we all gotta sleep sometime. But, I'm here for a coupla minutes...what's new in this world? (I get too confused if I read back) also, docmasters post 430 is probably the one you're looking for- it's way back a few pages. Member Since: August 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25008

1606. WatchingThisOne 10:33 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting aquak9: why a lonely night, WTO? we all gotta sleep sometime. But, I'm here for a coupla minutes...what's new in this world? (I get too confused if I read back) Nothing much good is new in Japan, which is what I have been following, especially the unfolding nuclear disaster. And thanks for the post number for Dr. Masters' particulate model. If you read the first two links on this page (1601,1602) you will be pretty much up to speed if you also read this update from the NY Times on US military exposure. Edit: There is a good video of the no. 3 reactor explosion at #1598 and an overview of the US naval response at #1596 that you might find of interest. Full-on relief effort is definitely underway. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1607. aquak9 10:45 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
thanks WTO, that's all exactly what I had been catching up on. I suppose it's better to have a nuke facility blow up a little at a time, than all go ka'bloooey at once? i don't know. Member Since: August 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25008

1608. WatchingThisOne 10:47 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting aquak9: thanks WTO, that's all exactly what I had been catching up on. I suppose it's better to have a nuke facility blow up a little at a time, than all go ka'bloooey at once? i don't know. Potassium iodide is toxic and cannot be taken chronically so there's that ... Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1609. aquak9 10:49 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
almost all of our american salt sold in the US, is already iodized. we probably get enough, or almost enough, that way. Hyper-jump to work and lurk mode...have a safe monday, ya'll. Member Since: August 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25008

1610. WatchingThisOne 10:55 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting aquak9: almost all of our american salt sold in the US, is already iodized. we probably get enough, or almost enough, that way. Hyper-jump to work and lurk mode...have a safe monday, ya'll. I suspect salt intake will go up, but I think it would be hard to get protective amounts on board that way. The very small amount of potassium iodide in salt is intended to address iodine deficiency associated with thyroid disorders (it is protective against goiter). Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1611. aspectre 11:11 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Don't hafta overdose on salt. According to Google, one can get iodine for water purification in tablets, drops, crystals, tinctures, and solutions. Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

1612. surfmom 11:14 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
Morning...... not sooo much Good today - thankful to have these posts and information to read here this morning Member Since: July 18, 2007 Posts: 30 Comments: 26538

1613. aspectre 11:25 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
http://www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/documentlibrar y/newplants/factsheet/faq---japanese-nuclear-energ y-situation/ "Pull one of the other legs, it's got bells on." Bonus points for identifying who said it. Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

1614. PlazaRed 11:33 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
I just got this from the BBC live news side links. 1125: Worrying news, this: The operators of the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant say it's possible that cooling water at one of the reactors has evaporated, Reuters reports. The company says it can't rule out the possibility that the nuclear fuel rods in Number 2 reactor were now exposed and could be at risk of meltdown Says it comes from Reuters so if anybody has a link to that there may be more to the story. Things look really bad over there and I can't see how they can easily be working in the debris that must be all over the place after the first 2 explosions, they might not even have much power over there after all the chaos as well and its getting dark about now. Member Since: January 21, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 1442

1615. aspectre 11:37 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366031/PIC TURE-SPECIAL-True-scale-devastation-clear-latest-i mages-flattened-towns-tsunami-hit-Japan.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365947/H ell-Earth-Ive-seen-20-wars-But-prepared-this.html Yeah I can link. But sometimes a link makes a site too easy to get to. Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

1616. islander101010 11:38 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
i met alot of japanese people in the islands kind hearted and very clean they dont deserve this Member Since: September 11, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2968

1617. Neapolitan 11:51 AM GMT on March 14, 2011
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/03/14/ 2011-03-14_17_us_navy_crewmembers_exposed_to_low_l evel_radiation_in_japan.html A simple steam explosion, that's all it was. Carry on... Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11169

1618. Neapolitan 12:00 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting aspectre: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366031/P IC TURE-SPECIAL-True-scale-devastation-clear-latest-i mages-flattened-towns-tsunami-hit-Japan.html Yeah I can link. But sometimes a link makes a site too easy to get to. Wow. Those are some ugly, ugly pictures. It makes me want to go over and help out, though every "helper" is another mouth to feed and hydrate, another body to keep warm, another drain on an already well-drained system. When I saw the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, I assumed I'd seen about the worst Mother Nature could dish out of that particular type of devastation. Sill me... Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11169

1619. WatchingThisOne 12:02 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting Neapolitan: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/03/14/ 2011-03-14_17_us_navy_crewmembers_exposed_to_low_l evel_radiation_in_japan.html A simple steam explosion, that's all it was. Carry on... That "one month in one hour" business means that they were exposed to radiation that was approximately 730 times background. Good thing they didn't stay too long. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1620. WatchingThisOne 12:05 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting aspectre: Don't hafta overdose on salt. According to Google, one can get iodine for water purification in tablets, drops, crystals, tinctures, and solutions. My original point was that potassium iodide cannot be taken on a chronic basis. Perhaps some of those preparations are made with sodium iodide - if so, they may work. In any event, I'm sure there are lots and lots of potassium iodide pills in Japan. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1621. islander101010 12:21 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
better back the fleet back cold and blustery northwest winds are moving into the area it could push the radiation right on top of our soldiers Member Since: September 11, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2968

1622. WatchingThisOne 12:22 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Time for some sleep. I'll catch you all later. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1623. WatchingThisOne 12:28 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting WatchingThisOne: My original point was that potassium iodide cannot be taken on a chronic basis. Perhaps some of those preparations are made with sodium iodide - if so, they may work. In any event, I'm sure there are lots and lots of potassium iodide pills in Japan. Edit: the fact that potassium iodide is added to salt (sodium iodide) strongly suggests that sodium iodide does not offer protection against goiter. It's potassium iodide that confers the protection ... and potassium iodide cannot be taken chronically. Catch-22 if you have a radioactive plume that involves controlled or uncontrolled release that takes place over a period measured in months. You can't take potassium iodide chronically (no matter what you get it from) and sodium iodide doesn't offer the thyroid protection from I-131. Member Since: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1249

1624. Neapolitan 12:28 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
1224: A quick summary of the nuclear crisis in Japan: The nuclear emergency following Friday's earthquake and tsunami has worsened, with the operators of the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant warning that they can't rule out a possible meltdown. The company says it's possible that cooling water at the number two reactor has evaporated, exposing the nuclear fuel rods. The BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says such an outcome would be very serious Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11169

1625. BobinTampa 12:38 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Reuters has a live blog that I had been following over the weekend. There were some nuke guys on there saying that this isn't that big of a deal. Even a total meltdown would be contained. They clearly knew about the construction and containment features of these plants. So why do I get the feeling this is MUCH worse than anyone is letting on? Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 508

1626. FloridaHeat 12:40 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting BobinTampa: Reuters has a live blog that I had been following over the weekend. There were some nuke guys on there saying that this isn't that big of a deal. Even a total meltdown would be contained. They clearly knew about the construction and containment features of these plants. So why do I get the feeling this is MUCH worse than anyone is letting on? IF THEY TOLD US WHAT WAS REALLY HAPPENING THE WORLD WOULD BE IN MASS PANIC MODE! THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND COULD THREATEN THE PLANET! I HAD A CHAPTER ON NUCLEAR POWER IN MY HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE CLASS LAST YEAR THIS IS SERIOUS! Member Since: July 31, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 357

1627. FloridaHeat 12:41 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Sorry for the all caps I did not mean to do it. Member Since: July 31, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 357

1628. islander101010 12:41 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
no expert at anything but i dont think anyone really knows what is going to happen. Member Since: September 11, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2968

1629. jeffs713 12:52 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
No offense, but a HS science book can't even scratch the surface on nuclear power, nuclear meltdowns, and radiation poisoning. Member Since: August 3, 2008 Posts: 15 Comments: 5722

1630. BobinTampa 12:54 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting islander101010: no expert at anything but i dont think anyone really knows what is going to happen. you're correct. It will probably be 6 months to a year before we find out exactly what happened at the reactors. Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 508

1631. FloridaHeat 12:54 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting jeffs713: No offense, but a HS science book can't even scratch the surface on nuclear power, nuclear meltdowns, and radiation poisoning. Yes but I pulled it out and read all about how it can turn normal rain into something very bad and how particles can blow all over the place. This is very serious you will just have to trust me. I know because I got a 99% on the test for that chapter. Member Since: July 31, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 357

1632. IKE 12:55 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
NEW BLOG! Member Since: June 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044

1633. emcf30 12:57 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
According to Michio Kaku, PhD stated on GMA that there are reports that reactor #3 MAY HAVE suffed a 90% uncovering of its core. Also they showed a very clear satelite photo, courtesy: Digital Globe of the reactor building after the explosion. There is a decent white plume emitting from that building. Do not know how long after the explosion it was taken. Member Since: August 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1926

1634. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:57 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
if it gets worse i don't know how much worse it can get all i got to say prepare the world for bad news Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40651

1635. aspectre 1:00 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
ABOUT TIME! for a NEW BLOG! Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

1636. jeffs713 1:06 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
Quoting FloridaHeat: Yes but I pulled it out and read all about how it can turn normal rain into something very bad and how particles can blow all over the place. This is very serious you will just have to trust me. I know because I got a 99% on the test for that chapter. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/ reactors.html For reference... I graduated HS, got a degree, and am working on a second degree. I'm sure your science textbook has great information, but I'm also very sure that your science textbook only covers the bare tip of the iceberg. Member Since: August 3, 2008 Posts: 15 Comments: 5722

1637. sunlinepr 3:19 PM GMT on March 14, 2011
In this other view of the 2nd explosion. Notice there is sound and you can hear various detonations (seems like 3 det.).... There is also a fireball, different from the 1rst. blast... Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8447

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