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WFO Lake Charles       Spring 2007
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Tsunamis –

Can They Happen Here?

By
Joe Rua, Senior Forecaster
Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning harbor wave. Tsunamis are a series of waves that are caused by a displacement of sea water. As was seen in December 2004 in the Indian Ocean region, tsunamis can happen quickly, be large and destructive, and cause a great loss of life. The question is: can something like
Picture of tsumani wave that occur along the Gulf of Mexico coast?

Underwater earthquakes are the main generation for tsunamis. Although earthquakes in the Gulf of Mexico do not happen often, they do occur. In fact, in 2006, 2 significant earthquakes were recorded in the Gulf of Mexico in regions of previous

unknown fault lines. On February 9, 2006, a moderate earthquake registering 5.2 on the Richter scale occurred about 160 miles south of New Orleans. Then on September 10, 2006, a strong earthquake registering 6.0 on the Richter scale occurred 330 miles southeast of New Orleans. Neither of these earthquakes produced tsunamis, as they were not strong enough. The Indian Ocean earthquake had a magnitude of over 9.0, more than 1,000 times powerful than either of the 2006 Gulf of Mexico quakes. Major earthquakes occur along the big tectonic plates, and fortunately none are located in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, the risk for a major tsunami from local Gulf of Mexico earthquakes is quite low.

Another possibility for the generation of tsunamis in the Gulf of Mexico would be volcanic or earthquake activity in the Caribbean Sea or the far eastern Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have done some research and modeling on different scenarios for earthquakes along known fault lines and trenches in the Caribbean and far eastern Atlantic. These scenarios have only generated small water level rises along the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana coast that would more than likely not be catastrophic.

However, imagine a 25 foot high wave crashing into the Texas coast, inundating all cities from Port Arthur to Corpus Christi. According to researchers, about 5000 to 10000 years ago, an underwater landslide, known as a slump, happened about 90 miles east of Galveston, Texas. During that event, 10s of cubic miles of sea surface was displaced and sent the 25 foot wave toward the Texas coast. Landslides or sea slumps are not uncommon in the Gulf of Mexico. There are even some in the scientific community who believe an event like the one that happened some 5000 to 10000 years ago could happen again.

Therefore, to guard against the possibility of a Tsunami in the Gulf of Mexico, the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center monitors seismic activity in the region. Also, a DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis) buoy has been deployed about 300 miles south-southeast of New Orleans to monitor water levels.  If a tsunami is detected that would  affect the Gulf of Mexico,

Image of the Dart II System - click for larger image the Tsunami Warning Center will issue a Tsunami Warning or Tsunami Watch for the coastline. The National Weather Service in Lake Charles will alarm the Tsunami Warning or Watch using the Emergency Alert Tone via NOAA Weather Radio, so residents along the coast can head inland to higher ground.

As with any hazard, prevention and planning is the key. All coastal communities along Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana are urged to become Tsunami Ready. Details on this program can be found at the
following website: www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov. Also, those wanting to participate in the program may contact the Warning Coordination Meteorologist Roger Erickson, or Tsunami Focal Point Joe Rua, at the National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles for further information.

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Page last modified: April 24, 2007

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