Tsunami Tsteeplechase

Tsunami warning issued for Tonga region but few seem to be taking it seriously

Althea — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:38:11 +0000

2:16 PM, March 19, 2009

The steam and ash carried high into the air. On Thursday (Friday in Tonga), a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck in the region, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning for Tonga and neighboring islands.

Safety superhero and dedicated professor

Althea — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:28:33 +0000

In the midst of natural disasters, there stand a select few that protect us from harm. HSU Professor Lori Dengler is one of those few. Dengler, a faculty member in the geology department for 29 years, received the 2009 Alfred E. Alquist Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Earthquake Safety.

More tsunami sirens planned

Althea — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:17:29 +0000

County, tribe get grants for alarm system

Del Norte County and the Yurok Tribe will significantly increase the brigade of tsunami sirens in the region after both received money from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association

Nations Take Steps to Prepare for Ever-Present Threat of Tsunamis

Althea — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:13:42 +0000

A new warning system for Indonesia may reduce loss of life from deadly waves. Transcript of radio broadcast:
16 March 2009

Mega-earthquake Risk For West Coast, US And Canada? Seismic Slip Linked To Tremor, With Implications For Subduction Zone

Althea — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:33:28 +0000

ScienceDaily (Feb. 2, 2009) — In the last decade, scientists have recorded regular episodes of tectonic plates slowly, quietly slipping past each other in western Washington and British Columbia over periods of two weeks or more, releasing as much energy as a magnitude 6 earthquake.

NOAA’s Simulation Tool Prepares Oregon Coastal Towns for Tsunamis and Floods

Althea — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:09:33 +0000

December 10, 2008

NOAA scientists have created four high-resolution digital elevation models, or DEMs, of Oregon’s coastline that simulate deadly tsunamis and floods. These models will help emergency managers develop life-saving plans for communities in those locations

Sharp’s Earthquake Detecting Solar Streetlights

Althea — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:08:05 +0000

Although not as aesthetically pleasing as those bio-mimicking Leaf lamps, these solar streetlights not only provide ample nighttime lighting, but also offer assistance in the event of a major earthquake. Sharp’s streetlamps charge during the day and light up the night with their powerful and energy-efficient high-intensity LED spotlights. In the event of an earthquake measuring 5.0 or greater, these streetlights will turn on full brightness all night long to light streets and sidewalks, aiding in emergency relief efforts.

Student course dives into the causes of tsunamis

Althea — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:06:37 +0000

While the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that triggered numerous tsunamis and killed more than 225,000 people is known to many students, the events that led up to that tragic event aren’t as well known.

But that won’t be true for the 17 students attending this week’s Tsunami Coastal Challenge, a weeklong camp put on by the National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction at Oregon Health and Science University’s Walker Road campus.

Hurricane Preparedness Survey: Worries About Drinking Water And Medical Care

Althea — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:20:31 +0000

ScienceDaily (July 28, 2008) — Three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast, a new survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security shows that one-third (34%) of those affected by the storm report they are very prepared if a major hurricane were to strike their communities in the next six months. The top worries of respondents threatened or hit by Hurricane Katrina are that they would not have enough fresh water to drink (42% very worried) and that they would not be able to get needed medical care (41% very worried).

Biggest Tsunami

Althea — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:52:46 +0000

On the night of July 9, 1958 an earthquake along the Fairweather Fault in the Alaska Panhandle loosened about 40 million cubic yards (30.6 million cubic meters) of rock high above the northeastern shore of Lituya Bay. This mass of rock plunged from an altitude of approximately 3000 feet (914 meters) down into the waters of Gilbert Inlet (see map below). The impact generated a local tsunami that crashed against the southwest shoreline of Gilbert Inlet. The wave hit with such power that it swept completely over the spur of land that separates Gilbert Inlet from the main body of Lituya Bay. The force of the wave removed all trees and vegetation from elevations as high as 1720 feet (524 meters) above sea level. This is the highest wave that has ever been known.

Read more …