Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Great Japan quake generates 8-foot tsunami in California

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 23:00 GMT le 11 Mars 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.

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101. Floodman 00:54 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting NRAamy: thank you!!!!! You're welcome, darlin'! Member Since: 2 août 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

102. aquak9 00:55 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
I already wrote my congressman, atmo. All I got back was a form letter. Member Since: 13 août 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25007

103. washingtonian115 00:57 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Never mind I'm getting off this damn site.You say one thing,and next thing you know people are jumping on you like hungry hound dogs. Member Since: 14 août 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10638

104. klaatuborada 00:57 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
# 0050: Reaction to events at two nuclear power plants 250km (160 miles) north east of Tokyo, where states of emergencies have been declared. Environmental group Greenpeace tells the AFP news agency "Japan is in the middle of a nuclear crisis with potentially devastating consequences". Campaigner Jan Beranek adds: "While the immediate focus is on minimising radiation release and keeping local people safe, this is yet another reminder of the inherent risks of nuclear power." This was on the BBC live site and you know, I hate quotes like this. Like someone from Greenpeace *wouldn't* have this opinion? This is not reporting. This is not news. These aren't the droids your looking for. Move along, move along.... Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

105. Patrap 00:57 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111461

108. Floodman 00:58 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Tazmanian: dos janp have any volcanos? if they do do you think this quake was so strong too a point too where it could set any of them off ? Ever heard of Mount Fuji, Fujiyama, the Holy Mountain, Japan's Mountain of Fire? LOL...yep, they have a couple Member Since: 2 août 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

109. Ossqss 00:59 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
I have to believe that someone was putting the RED flag up with the history over the last week. I mentioned 2 days ago that the frequency and level of the quakes in that locality were very unusual. I am just an observer, not a specialist. Somebody had to have that gut feeling. Take a peek. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsw w/Quakes/quakes_big.php Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

110. klaatuborada 00:59 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Tazmanian: dos janp have any volcanos? if they do do you think this quake was so strong too a point too where it could set any of them off ? Google Mount Fuji Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

111. Tazmanian 01:00 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting twincomanche: "a leading U.S. scientist group" Gag me. i Gag you how do you like it too be don LOL Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346

112. atmoaggie 01:00 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting EvPv: Honshu Island moved 8 FEET to the east! Not all of the island (the largest of the Japanese islands). I saw a feed from USGS today where a geologist described the movement direction. I don't remember exactly but I thought there was some downward motion involved. Don't quote me on that, but I seem to remember something along those lines. Can we have a link? Here's one, but very short on further details: http://www.stltoday.com/article_4f326ad6-4c32-11e 0-a5d0-0017a4a78c22.html If true, no way is everything at the same elevation it was. Just how much changed and in how large an area would be uncertain until very specific measurements happen, tho. Member Since: 16 août 2007 Posts: 6 Comments: 12461

113. Patrap 01:00 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
2 days ago this was uploaded Uploaded by SolarWatcher on Mar 8, 2011 A Strong Earthquake Strikes Near The Coast Of Honshu, Japan ... no significant reports of Tsunami associated with this event Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111461

114. klaatuborada 01:00 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Floodman: Ever heard of Mount Fuji, Fujiyama, the Holy Mountain, Japan's Mountain of Fire? LOL...yep, they have a couple Ooo, great minds think alike, fools never differ... Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

115. Tazmanian 01:01 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Floodman: Ever heard of Mount Fuji, Fujiyama, the Holy Mountain, Japan's Mountain of Fire? LOL...yep, they have a couple could this quke set any of them off? Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346

116. PcolaDan 01:01 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting washingtonian115: Never mind I'm getting off this damn site.You say one thing,and next thing you know people are jumping on you like hungry hound dogs. I asked a simple question. If you want to take it as being jumped on, so be it. But there was nothing negative, nor derogatory about it. If you don't have an answer, well, what can I say? Member Since: 22 août 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008

117. sunlinepr 01:02 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Daybreak reveals huge devastation in tsunami-hit Japan By Edwina Gibbs and Chisa FujiokaPosted 2011/03/11 at 6:01 pm EST TOKYO, Mar. 11, 2011 (Reuters) %u2014 Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people.... Link Member Since: 2 août 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8447

118. EYEStoSEA 01:02 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Ossqss: I have to believe that someone was putting the RED flag up with the history over the last week. I mentioned 2 days ago that the frequency and level of the quakes in that locality were very unusual. I am just an observer, not a specialist. Somebody had to have that gut feeling. Take a peek. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsw w/Quakes/quakes_big.php Exactly! +1000 Member Since: 16 septembre 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

119. Floodman 01:02 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting atmoaggie: Can we have a link? Here's one, but very short on further details: http://www.stltoday.com/article_4f326ad6-4c32-11e 0-a5d0-0017a4a78c22.html If true, no way is everything at the same elevation it was. Just how much changed and in how large an area would be uncertain until very specific measurements happen, tho. Now wait a damned minute...there was an article posted on the LAST blog that said it SLOWED the rotation... Member Since: 2 août 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

120. Patrap 01:03 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Breaking news: 8.9 earthquake, tsunami hit Japan. Watch eyewitness footage. Citizen TUBE Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111461

121. PcolaDan 01:04 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
From Stars and Stripes Quake moves U.S. aircraft carrier from Yokosuka pier YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington say the gentle rocking that signaled the beginning of the earthquake felt so familiar, they barely took note. As it intensified over the next few minutes, they knew something extraordinary was happening. “It actually felt like we were under way and answering bells,” said Chief Petty Officer Bill Mason, of Damascus, Pa. Member Since: 22 août 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008

122. klaatuborada 01:04 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
"The earthquake sped up the Earth's rotation by 1.6 microseconds, according to NASA. A microsecond is one-millionth of a second." But how much did it how much did this quake shift Earth's axis? Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

123. atmoaggie 01:07 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting washingtonian115: I'm sorry is that suppose to be sarcastic or real?.I do think it has something to do with that volcano. Only in as much as they are the result of the same thing in different places... Member Since: 16 août 2007 Posts: 6 Comments: 12461

124. atmoaggie 01:08 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Floodman: Now wait a damned minute...there was an article posted on the LAST blog that said it SLOWED the rotation... More results from the journalist filter between the scientists and the curious... Which is correct? I dunno. Member Since: 16 août 2007 Posts: 6 Comments: 12461

125. atmoaggie 01:08 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting klaatuborada: "The earthquake sped up the Earth's rotation by 1.6 microseconds, according to NASA. A microsecond is one-millionth of a second." But how much did it how much did this quake shift Earth's axis? Link says: "The earth's axis has reportedly shifted 10 inches as a result of the earthquake." Member Since: 16 août 2007 Posts: 6 Comments: 12461

126. klaatuborada 01:09 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
If an earthquake can make Earth rotate faster by moving some of its mass closer to the planet's axis, (like ice skaters can speed up their spins by pulling in their arms) and conversely, slow the rotation and lengthen the day if it redistributes mass away from that axis, could various quakes correct each other? Could that be a trigger as well, how the axis of the earth is effected? Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

127. aspectre 01:10 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Residents near Japanese volcano urged to evacuate. Thu Feb 17, 2011 Member Since: 21 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

128. Ossqss 01:11 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Now the question of the day. What, if any, impact has the recent solar storm activity played in this disaster? Did it play a role with respect to magnetic fields influence on faults, and or do we know how it could impact the planets plate structure or gravity field (if that is an appropriate use of the term). Just sayin, it would have to provide some sort of forcing/weakening with the increase in solar wind and radiative energy. Could the sun cause quakes? I really do wonder and find nothing on it........... Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

129. klaatuborada 01:13 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting atmoaggie: Link says: "The earth's axis has reportedly shifted 10 inches as a result of the earthquake." 10 inches? The 8.8 magnitude Chilean quake moved the Earth's axis by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8cm) and shortened a day by about 1.26 microseconds, so I think that needs to get checked... I'm thinking that's a proof-reading error Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

131. atmoaggie 01:17 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Floodman: Now wait a damned minute...there was an article posted on the LAST blog that said it SLOWED the rotation... Everything I see says sped up rotation, thus shortened day (by milliseconds). Member Since: 16 août 2007 Posts: 6 Comments: 12461

132. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 01:17 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
and the sun burns Member Since: 15 juillet 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40528

133. geepy86 01:18 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting twincomanche: Since to the best of my knowledge no one can agree on what causes volcanic "hot spots" like the Hawaiian Islands it's hard to tie it an any way to this earthquake. Other earthquakes on the Pacific rim certainly are connected. We have now have had a slip everywhere except in Alaska and the West coast of the CONUS in the last year or so. Draw your own conclusions. I was thinking the same thing. Member Since: 19 août 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1611

134. klaatuborada 01:18 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
# 0059: Tokyo Electric Power, which runs the two stricken nuclear power plants, confirms it has released a small amount of vapour into the atmosphere to reduce pressure on one of its reactors. It tells AFP there are no health risks. BBC Member Since: 15 août 2004 Posts: 23 Comments: 380

135. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 01:19 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
< Member Since: 15 juillet 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40528

136. Ossqss 01:19 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Recent Sun activity below,,,,,, and no it is not a tunnels theory thing :) http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/alerts/warnings_timeline .html and here Link We have been hit several times with significant and differing energies over the last month. Perhaps worth some study ? L8R >>> Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

137. sunlinepr 01:20 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
11,000 evacuated in Russia after Japanese quake - Fri Mar 11, 5:27 am ET MOSCOW - Russian authorities on Friday evacuated some 11,000 residents from coastal areas on Pacific islands before they were hit by tsunami waves unleashed by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off Japan's northeastern coast. The regional emergency officials said that the waves reached several towns and villages on the Kurils, four Pacific islands that the Soviet Union seized from Japan in the final days of the World War II, but caused no damage. The islands lie as close as six miles (10 kilometers) from Japan's Hokkaido island... Link Member Since: 2 août 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8447

138. fireflymom 01:21 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting klaatuborada: 10 inches? The 8.8 magnitude Chilean quake moved the Earth's axis by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8cm) – and shortened a day by about 1.26 microseconds, so I think that needs to get checked... The Chilean Quake 8.8 M had a duration of 3 minutes and 22 miles depth, today's Quake lasted for a full 5 minutes at a depth of 24.4 miles and was an 8.9 M. Remember these magnitudes increase expidentially. Member Since: 5 juin 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 505

140. aspectre 01:26 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
No, the "supermoon" didn’t cause the Japanese earthquake. Amongst many other things, the Sun-Moon alignment is nearly 90degrees from the maximum... which means that the tidal forces are nearing their lowest. Member Since: 21 août 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

141. Neapolitan 01:27 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting klaatuborada: # 0059: Tokyo Electric Power, which runs the two stricken nuclear power plants, confirms it has released a small amount of vapour into the atmosphere to reduce pressure on one of its reactors. It tells AFP there are no health risks. BBC Yeah, I saw that. So that begs the question: if radioactive steam can be released into the atmopshere while presenting no health risks, why bother containing at all? Sounds like a bunch of AC to me. To me, when the nuclear regulatory commission of a technologically-sophisticated, wise-about-fission nation like Japan has to admit that they've "lost control" of temperature and pressure in a few reactors, that's tantamount to admitting that nuclear still isn't the slam-dunk super-safe energy solution proponents claim. Member Since: 8 novembre 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11156

143. oceanbug 01:27 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
For those wondering about volcanoes in Japan: according to this site they have 10% of the world's active volcanoes. I want to thank all of you who have been posting great links all day long. No relatives in Japan, but I've been to Sendai. And Niigata. Member Since: 2 février 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 72

145. Ossqss 01:31 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting twincomanche: Calculators running.LOL. I knew I should have, not, looked :P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eI3gCWL-sY Dog walk time! :>>> Member Since: 12 juin 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154

147. EYEStoSEA 01:33 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Am I the only one with the blog page stretched a half mile wide? Member Since: 16 septembre 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

148. sunlinepr 01:33 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Why Japan's Tsunami Triggered Enormous Whirlpool LiveScience.com livescience.com 2 hrs 26 mins ago Link The tsunami that hit northern Japan today created an enormous whirlpool in a harbor off the east coast of that country. According to researchers, whirlpools aren't unusual after waves of this size. The tsunami was triggered by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan at 2:46 p.m. Tokyo time. Video footage shows a boat swirling in the massive eddy. It's not known whether anyone was on the vessel. Based on eye-witness accounts and video in recent years, whirlpools probably occur with some regularity after large tsunamis, said Ruth Ludwin, a retired seismologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.... Member Since: 2 août 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8447

149. Grothar 01:36 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting EYEStoSEA: Am I the only one with the blog page stretched a half mile wide? YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! Member Since: 17 juillet 2009 Posts: 56 Comments: 19535

151. EYEStoSEA 01:38 GMT le 12 Mars 2011
Quoting Grothar: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! Your just a "wild and crazy guy"....but....OTAY ! Member Since: 16 septembre 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

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