Latest news with #coastal
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
A tiny city nicknamed a ‘tsunami magnet' saw the highest waves in continental US after the earthquake
A small Californian coastal city, notorious for its history of tsunamis, including one that claimed 11 lives over six decades ago, experienced minimal disruption on Wednesday, as residents quickly resumed their routines under clear skies. Crescent City, often dubbed a "tsunami magnet," recorded waves of up to 1.22 metres (4 feet) early on Wednesday. These were the highest observed anywhere in the continental United States following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake centred off Russia's Far East hours earlier. Crucially, these were significantly smaller than the devastating 6.40-metre (21-foot) waves that struck in 1964. This time, the city of 6,600 reported no injuries and no significant flooding, with its downtown area reopening later that morning. While a dock at the city's harbour sustained damage, officials swiftly issued warnings for the public to avoid beaches and waterways. 'A lot of people who aren't from here did evacuate. But they ended up coming right back because nothing happened,' said Rose Renee, who works at Oceanfront Lodge that looks out at the famed Battery Point Lighthouse. A surge of water lifted the dock off its pilings around 2:40 a.m., eventually submerging it, Harbormaster Mike Rademaker said at a news briefing. The dock was engineered to disrupt the waves' force before they reach the inner harbor and appears to have functioned as intended, he said. Crescent City is highly susceptible to tsunamis because of an underwater ridge, just offshore, known as the Mendocino Fracture Zone. The ridge funnels tsunamis into deeper water where they pick up speed before they hit the town. Forty-one tsunamis have been observed or recorded since the first tide gauge was installed in Crescent City in 1933. The oral history of local native peoples, geologic evidence and the written records of people elsewhere in the Pacific Rim suggest that tsunamis have battered this shoreline for centuries, according to city records. The 1964 event, considered the worst tsunami disaster recorded in the United States, began with a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in Alaska, according to the Crescent City website. Three small waves caused little damage, but then a big wave — nearly 21 feet (6.40 meters) — devastated 29 city blocks. The quake caused 15 deaths, and the ensuing tsunami caused 124 deaths: 106 in Alaska, 13 in California and 5 in Oregon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information. Crescent City rebuilt downtown, and today a walking tour highlights high-water marks posted on surviving buildings, objects pushed by waves and memorials to those who died. A tsunami caused by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan killed one person in Crescent City and damaged the harbor. Max Blair, a volunteer at the Del Norte Historical Society, which manages the town's museum and historic lighthouse, said locals have tsunami drills at least once a year. When there is danger of one, cellphone notifications go out and the tsunami sirens in the town sound warnings. Resident then turn to KCRE radio for information, Blair said. If ordered to evacuate, people move to higher ground, normally the town's Walmart about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from the shore. 'We evacuate if it's forecast to be a big wave. But the first wave was coming in at low tide and it was only a couple feet, so we just have to stay away from the beach,' Blair said. The city's website warns that a tsunami could happen anytime. Since most of downtown is in the tsunami run-up zone, if there were a near-shore earthquake, people would only have minutes to reach safety. Thirty-two tsunamis have been observed in the city since 1933, including five that caused damage. It is still not safe to head to the beach The greatest impact from the tsunami event along the coast Wednesday morning was around Crescent City with strong tidal swings, including up to 4-foot waves, according to James White, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Eureka office. Officials stressed that conditions may be improving, but it wasn't yet safe to head to the beach on Wednesday. There were still dramatic tide fluctuations that must carry high currents, the city manager said. 'It seems like whenever we have these events, it's also time that we lose someone just because they're in the wrong place and they get caught off-guard, and then they're swept out,' Weir said.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
A tiny city nicknamed a ‘tsunami magnet' saw the highest waves in continental US after the earthquake
A small Californian coastal city, notorious for its history of tsunamis, including one that claimed 11 lives over six decades ago, experienced minimal disruption on Wednesday, as residents quickly resumed their routines under clear skies. Crescent City, often dubbed a "tsunami magnet," recorded waves of up to 1.22 metres (4 feet) early on Wednesday. These were the highest observed anywhere in the continental United States following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake centred off Russia's Far East hours earlier. Crucially, these were significantly smaller than the devastating 6.40-metre (21-foot) waves that struck in 1964. This time, the city of 6,600 reported no injuries and no significant flooding, with its downtown area reopening later that morning. While a dock at the city's harbour sustained damage, officials swiftly issued warnings for the public to avoid beaches and waterways. 'A lot of people who aren't from here did evacuate. But they ended up coming right back because nothing happened,' said Rose Renee, who works at Oceanfront Lodge that looks out at the famed Battery Point Lighthouse. A surge of water lifted the dock off its pilings around 2:40 a.m., eventually submerging it, Harbormaster Mike Rademaker said at a news briefing. The dock was engineered to disrupt the waves' force before they reach the inner harbor and appears to have functioned as intended, he said. Crescent City is highly susceptible to tsunamis because of an underwater ridge, just offshore, known as the Mendocino Fracture Zone. The ridge funnels tsunamis into deeper water where they pick up speed before they hit the town. Forty-one tsunamis have been observed or recorded since the first tide gauge was installed in Crescent City in 1933. The oral history of local native peoples, geologic evidence and the written records of people elsewhere in the Pacific Rim suggest that tsunamis have battered this shoreline for centuries, according to city records. The 1964 event, considered the worst tsunami disaster recorded in the United States, began with a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in Alaska, according to the Crescent City website. Three small waves caused little damage, but then a big wave — nearly 21 feet (6.40 meters) — devastated 29 city blocks. The quake caused 15 deaths, and the ensuing tsunami caused 124 deaths: 106 in Alaska, 13 in California and 5 in Oregon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information. Crescent City rebuilt downtown, and today a walking tour highlights high-water marks posted on surviving buildings, objects pushed by waves and memorials to those who died. A tsunami caused by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan killed one person in Crescent City and damaged the harbor. Max Blair, a volunteer at the Del Norte Historical Society, which manages the town's museum and historic lighthouse, said locals have tsunami drills at least once a year. When there is danger of one, cellphone notifications go out and the tsunami sirens in the town sound warnings. Resident then turn to KCRE radio for information, Blair said. If ordered to evacuate, people move to higher ground, normally the town's Walmart about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from the shore. 'We evacuate if it's forecast to be a big wave. But the first wave was coming in at low tide and it was only a couple feet, so we just have to stay away from the beach,' Blair said. The city's website warns that a tsunami could happen anytime. Since most of downtown is in the tsunami run-up zone, if there were a near-shore earthquake, people would only have minutes to reach safety. Thirty-two tsunamis have been observed in the city since 1933, including five that caused damage. It is still not safe to head to the beach The greatest impact from the tsunami event along the coast Wednesday morning was around Crescent City with strong tidal swings, including up to 4-foot waves, according to James White, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Eureka office. Officials stressed that conditions may be improving, but it wasn't yet safe to head to the beach on Wednesday. There were still dramatic tide fluctuations that must carry high currents, the city manager said. 'It seems like whenever we have these events, it's also time that we lose someone just because they're in the wrong place and they get caught off-guard, and then they're swept out,' Weir said.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Emaar The Economic City & Al Tahaluf Sign Deal to Deliver New Residential Projects in KAEC's Al Murooj
KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY (KAEC), Saudia Arabia: (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emaar, The Economic City (EEC), the master developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has signed an agreement with Al Tahaluf, a Saudi-American joint venture comprised of a K. Hovnanian subsidiary and the Hamad bin Saedan Real Estate Company, to develop two premium residential communities in the Al Murooj district. The deal reflects a shared ambition to shape a vibrant coastal district and supports KAEC's goal of attracting high-value development while cementing its position as a lifestyle-led investment destination aligned with Vision 2030's ambitions. Signed at KAEC by Abdulaziz Alnowaiser, CEO of EEC, and Robert Hofmann, CEO of Al Tahaluf, the agreement covers the acquisition of 340 residential lots, ranging from 600 m² to 1,000 m², with built up areas spanning 400 m² to 600 m². These exclusive communities are inspired by a tropical modernism design approach, introducing a signature architectural villa style to the Kingdom. The four-to-five-bedroom villas will offer resort-styled living with expansive glass façades, soaring ceilings, shaded terraces, lush tropical landscaping, and premium finishing. Open concept layouts will connect indoor and outdoor spaces, with gourmet kitchens and private two-car garages, including space for a golf buggy, to support sustainable mobility. The project is tailored for buyers looking to enjoy elevated living along the Red Sea coast, with interest expected to only rise following a recent decision by the Saudi Cabinet to allow foreign property ownership in designated zones starting 2026. Commenting on the signing, Abdulaziz Alnowaiser, CEO of EEC, said: 'This agreement highlights KAEC's continued evolution into a vibrant and future-ready city, offering high-quality residential, commercial, and leisure opportunities. We are delighted to partner with Al Tahaluf, whose presence signals strong investor interest in KAEC's long-term potential as a destination of choice for home buyers in the Kingdom.' 'We at Al Tahaluf are incredibly proud to be part of KAEC's next chapter as a premier luxury lifestyle destination in the Kingdom,' said Robert Hofmann, CEO of Al Tahaluf. 'Set along the breathtaking Red Sea coastline, our new communities at KAEC will offer an unparalleled setting with opportunities for world class championship golf, relaxation, wellness, and a full spectrum of watersports and waterside leisure. With seamless access to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah via the Haramain High Speed Railway, KAEC provides future residents with unmatched connectivity. Combined with pristine beaches, and visionary urban design, it is poised to become a destination of choice for both Saudi and international homebuyers and investors.' Hofmann added that K. Hovnanian, a leading American homebuilder and managing partner of Al Tahaluf, will bring its expertise in lifestyle communities and its high-quality standards to the project. Al Tahaluf has set a target of late 2025 to launch sales of the villas. A formal design unveiling is also planned for Cityscape Global later this year. This strategic collaboration advances EEC's ambition to attract foreign direct investment and enable greater private sector participation. With its blend of world-class infrastructure, lifestyle-driven planning, and proximity to Jeddah and the western coast, KAEC continues to strengthen its position as a coastal premier lifestyle destination. The deal also adds momentum to KAEC's expanding development pipeline and aligns with national efforts to diversify the economy and expand high-impact sectors under Vision 2030. Contacts: Robert Hofmann, Chief Executive Officer Al Tahaluf Real Estate Company Saudi: +966 543 853 901 US: 732 904 4876 Tyler Lewis, Director of Investment Al Tahaluf Real Estate Company Saudi: +966 55 287 4982 US: 713-248-2624
CBC
14 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
How did B.C.respond to the tsunami advisories following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake?
B.C. has cancelled all tsunami advisories for coastal regions of the province that were put in place Tuesday night after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia. It triggered tsunami warnings from Japan to Hawaii. Brent Ward, the co-director at the Centre for Natural Hazards Research at SFU spoke to CBC about B.C.'s response to the earthquake and tsunami alerts.
NHK
16 hours ago
- Climate
- NHK
Tsunami advisories partially lifted
Some of Japan's tsunami advisories have been lifted. However, they are still in effect in coastal areas from Hokkaido to Chiba, including the Izu Islands and some parts of Kagoshima.
