Scientific Theme: Advanced Modeling and Observing Systems

Scientific Theme: Geodynamics
MILESTONE NGDC05.6:
Produce a U.S. Tsunami Hazard Assessment which will describe tsunami sources and estimate
tsunami frequency based on historical and geological tsunami data.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR NGDC05.6:
CIRES researchers at NGDC conducted a tsunami hazard assessment for U.S. states and territories, which has been
documented in a draft NOAA report ―U.S. States and Territories National Tsunami Hazard Assessment, 2006:
Historical Record and Sources for Waves.‖ This document awaits NOAA approval for publication. Tsunamis are
infrequent high impact events that can cause a considerable number of fatalities, inflict major damage, and cause
significant economic loss to large sections of the U.S. coastlines. Since the beginning of the 20th century, tsunami
events have caused more than 800 deaths and over $200 million in damage to the U.S. coastal states and territories.
Approximately 53% of the U.S. population now live in coastal communities and are at risk for impacts from a
destructive tsunami. As this trend continues, the risk of more deaths and damage will continue to climb.
Map showing total number of tsunami events and total number of events causing runup heights
from 0.01 meter to greater than 3.0 meters for U.S. states and territories in the Pacific Ocean.
Region Hazard based on Hazard based on Hazard based on
runups
frequency
deaths
Atlantic Coast Very low to low Very low None
Gulf Coast None to very low Non to very low None
Caribbean High High Very high or severe
West Coast High High High
Alaska Very high or severe Very high Very high or severe
Hawaii Very high or severe Very high Very high or severs
Western Pacific Moderate High Low to moderate
Qualitative Tsunami Hazard Assessment based on NGDC databases.
72