Notes From the Field...

March 11, 2011 Tsunami

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Main menu   PCMSC Scientists Visit Tsunami-Damaged Japan   USGS photo collections from California and Hawaii: Seacliff State Beach, B. Jaffe Seacliff State Beach, B. Richmond Santa Cruz Harbor, J. Hansen and A. Foxgrover Cowell Beach & Natural Bridges State Beach, A. Gibbs Pelekane Bay, Hawaii, C. Storlazzi USGS video collection from California: Santa Cruz Harbor, J. Hansen Preliminary simulation of the 2011 Honshu, Japan tsunami Photos from Japan: comparing pre- and post-tsunami Links to various web sites, for more information

Map showing locations in Santa Cruz where photos and videos were taken. Click for larger version.

Photos from Western Santa Cruz: Cowell Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach (A. Gibbs)

• At least 5 significant water level drawdowns occurred over several hours, with the first beginning about 8:15am, and lasting for at least 10 minutes.
• Water level changed about 1.5 meters.
• Incoming waves did not exceed the pre-tsunami high-water mark.
• Pre-tsunami wave-heights were about 1m.
• Many surfers and paddle boarders were in the water.
• Hundreds of onlookers lined the coastal bluffs.
• Photos were taken on the bluffs in front of the Darling House Bed and Breakfast, between Santa Cruz Ave and Gharkey Street

Water level drawdown at Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:38 PST March 11, 2011; view is to the south. Surfers can be seen in the water, and many spectators are standing along the cliff. [Larger version]	Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:38 PST; view looking east. [Larger version]
Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:39 PST; view looking north. [Larger version]	Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:39 PST; view looking south. [Larger version]
Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:39 PST; view looking south. [Larger version]	Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 08:41 PST; view looking northeast with Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in distance. [Larger version]
Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 09:11 PST; view looking south. [Larger version]	Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 09:12 PST; view looking south. Many surfers can be seen in the water. [Larger version]
Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 09:12 PST; view looking northeast with Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in distance. [Larger version]	Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz: 09:12 PST; view looking south. [Larger version]
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz: 10:49 PST; view looking west. [Larger version]

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