How Often Do Tsunamis Hit the U.S.? A Look at History

More than 77 tsunamis have been experienced in the last 300 years in the United States. The most affected ones include Hawaii, Alaska, and the West Coast.

Tsunamis are tsunami waves that start hitting California after the impacts of a mighty 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the far eastern coast of Russia, prompting alerts of the entire Pacific. The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warning to the residents to avoid going to the shoreline or trying to photograph the waves urging them to remember that it is not going to be one wave.

Tsunamis have been a menace in the United States particularly in the Pacific. The tsunamis that have hit America include 77 tsunamis with an average of two devastating tsunamis every 10 years since 1737. The 1946 tragedy is one of the important parts of Hawaii tsunami history when it happened to the Hilo, Hawaii and 55-foot high waves were crashing the city killing 159 people.

To a great extent, these disasters are a Pacific Ocean earthquake phenomenon that comes into play in the regions where tectonic plates are colliding. The Alaska tsunami hazard is also very high since the state is located on one of the most active world fault lines. In 1958, a colossal landslide triggered a mega tsunami, also known as Lituya Bay, which measured 1700 feet tall, the highest recorded.

This was followed by a 9.2 magnitude quake in 1964, the highest in North America, which ruptured in the Gulf of Alaska breaking out devastating waves over the U.S. West Coast which saw 11 deaths, at Crescent City in California.

Another source of Tsunamis is underwater landslides or volcanic blow-ups. The problem is scientists have forewarned of further occurring waves more frequently (in the future) due to the change in climate and a thawing of the glaciers in Alaska.

Local tsunamis can occur in minutes, even though they are rare, there is not much time to send out warnings. Ports and other infrastructure can be destroyed by even waves less than 10 feet.

Tsunamis are also one of the most unpredictable forces of nature. With Spotlight News, you will be updated on all the news regarding natural calamities and alert messages.