A new guide aims to help Oregon boaters, fishermen and mariners in Newport and Toledo respond to and get ready for distant tsunamis. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) today released “Oregon Maritime Tsunami Response Guidance for the Ports of Newport and Toledo,” which offers operators of small craft such as recreational sailing and motor vessels and commercial fishing vessels guidance in the event of a distant tsunami. Distant tsunamis are caused by great earthquakes far away from the Oregon Coast and will strike approximately four or more hours after the earthquake. “Many tsunami hazards exist for boats,” says George Priest, a geologist in DOGAMI’s coastal field office. “Dangers might include grounding of vessels as water level suddenly drops, capsizing from incoming surges, strong and unpredictable currents, and collision with other boats, docks and debris.” The largest, most damaging distant-source tsunamis in Newport area have come from large earthquakes in the Alaska-Aleutian Islands region, including the 1964 magnitude 9.2 earthquake that caused damage to many parts of the Oregon coast and killed campers on Beverly Beach in Newport. The guide is part of ongoing efforts to increase tsunami awareness and preparedness in Oregon’s maritime community. Statewide maritime guidance for all types of tsunamis can be found in the brochure titled “Tsunami! What Oregon Boat Owners Need to Know.” The brochure offers information about statewide response and readiness for a local Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami, which would strike the coast in as little as 10 minutes. Both the statewide brochure and new guide for Newport and Toledo are available for download at www.OregonTsunami.org on the Boaters page, along with information about broadcasts during a tsunami event and a map of offshore safe zones. Development of the guide was funded by the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program and supported by DOGAMI, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and members of the Oregon Marine Advisory Council.
