US west coast ports to get tsunami ready

Officials from the Californian Geological Survey have created new current velocity maps for San Diego, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Ventura, Santa Cruz and Crescent City using data from previous tsunamis, including the 2011 Japanese tsunami, which caused over US$100m in damage to 27 harbours in California.

Rick Wilson, senior engineering geologist, California Geological Survey, told Port Strategy that the maps are much needed. A recent evaluation by the California Tsunami Program and the US Geological Survey found that a large tsunami generated in the Alaska-Aleutian Islands region could damage or sink one-third of all ships and damage or destroy two-thirds of all docks in California.

“The scenario would cause billions of dollars in damage and economic losses, and recovery would take years to decades to complete. The study also found that if actions and measures to reduce the impact of tsunamis are taken, damage could be reduced by up to 80%,” he said.

Prevention is definitely better than cure. California has over 130 ports, harbours and marinas that are vulnerable to tsunamis. Some are more prone to damage than others but all have weak spots where damage could occur, especially where there are narrow channels that funnel currents or where older or unmaintained docks and infrastructure exist.

Mr Wilson stressed to PS that the project intends to complete maps and playbooks for all 130 plus Californian ports, harbours and marinas by 2015. It’s also developing guidance for pre-disaster construction and post-tsunami recovery strategies.

“Ultimately, we are working through the US National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program to develop guidance and standards for other state and federal entities to complete similar products for their jurisdictions. This will help improve tsunami preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery efforts for all maritime communities in the US.”