A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, triggering tsunami waves that reached Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. This is one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.
Waves as high as 16 feet caused flooding along parts of Russia's coast, but overall damage across the Pacific was minimal. Most areas experienced only moderate wave activity.
While Pacific tsunamis grab headlines, many along the Alabama Gulf Coast may wonder: Could it happen here?
Can a tsunami happen in Alabama?
Unlike the Pacific, where deep ocean trenches and seismic zones trigger powerful quakes, the Gulf is far less prone to tsunami-generating events, but that doesn't mean it's immune.
According to the ThinkHazard database, Alabama's tsunami hazard is classified as "very low," meaning there is less than a 2% chance of a potentially damaging tsunami occurring in the next 50 years.
The United States Geological Service says that the Gulf has not experienced large tsunamis, but smaller ones called seiches have been observed. Seiches are water oscillations from earthquake-induced ground movement.
Has a tsunami hit Alabama?
Currently, Alabama has no tsunamis on record.
Meteotsunami-like waves were observed in 2016 after a massive line of storms along the Gulf hit.
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of mighty ocean waves caused by disturbances such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions under the sea. These waves can travel thousands of miles at high speeds, sometimes faster than a jet, over 500 mph. While they may go unnoticed in deep water, they grow taller and more dangerous as they reach the shore, sometimes causing massive destruction to coastal communities.
What is the most destructive tsunami on record?
On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering the deadliest tsunami in history. Waves as high as 167 feet crashed ashore, flooding areas up to three miles inland. The disaster killed around 230,000 people across 14 countries, displaced 1.7 million and caused an estimated $13 billion in damages.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Is Alabama at risk for a tsunami? Here's what we know about the risks
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