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Coastal and Marine Earthquake, Tsunami, and Landslide Active Margin Field Studies

See also:

• Tsunami and Earthquake Research at the USGS: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami
• Information on Tsunamis: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunamis.html
• Notes From the Field: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/news/field.html
• Current Coastal & Marine Earthquake Research: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/earthquakes/
• Global Geoengineering Research: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/geotech/

Overview

As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the societal impacts of these hazards are expected to grow. Recent giant earthquakes that spawned pan-oceanic tsunamis have revealed the vulnerability of U. S. coasts to such natural disasters. The highest priorities for regional active margin field studies are in direct response to the aftermath of the 2011 Japan 9.0 earthquake and tsunami: 1) a re-assessment of the hazards of earthquake, landslides and tsunamis to coastal nuclear power plants located along active strike-slip fault zones in California, and 2) an assessment of the eastern Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone to determine whether conditions exist along the megathrust that are similar to Japan, which could result in the generation of a giant earthquake and tsunami that would pose a thrust to ports and harbors along the West Coast. Results of these studies will available to and have a direct impact on the re-licensing of the nuclear facilities. The Aleutian-Alaska studies will also contribute significantly to the Multihazard Demonstration Project tsunami scenario and planned 2014 emergency management exercise.

Objectives

The USGS Coastal and Marine Geology program (CMGP) provides expertise to the nation in understanding hazards related to offshore earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis the U.S. and territorial coasts. As the recent 2011 Japan giant earthquake and tsunami have brought to light, there is still much we do not understand about conditions that lead to these unusually large events. All U.S. and territorial coastlines are vulnerable to both remote and remote hazards. This project focuses on regional geologic studies of active margins that are considered to be most at risk based on 1) the potential human and economic loss from earthquakes, landsides, and tsunamis, 2) the lack of high resolution mapping and/or age dating in the area at risk, and 3) the need for information to validate models and provide input into the hazards probabilistic studies project. These field studies are an integral part of a coordinated CMGP effort to understand hazards and to develop scientifically sound contributions to forecasts of loss of life, infrastructure, and property from catastrophic geologic events associated with coastal and marine geologic processes.

As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the societal impacts of these hazards are expected to grow. Recent giant earthquakes that spawned pan-oceanic tsunamis have revealed the vulnerability of U. S. coasts to such natural disasters. The highest priorities for regional active margin field studies are in direct response to the aftermath of the 2011 Japan 9.0 earthquake and tsunami:

1. a re-assessment of the hazards of earthquake, landslides and tsunamis to coastal nuclear power plants located along active strike-slip fault zones in California, and
2. an assessment of the eastern Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone to determine whether conditions exist along the megathrust that are similar to Japan, which could result in the generation of a giant earthquake and tsunami that would pose a thrust to ports and harbors along the West Coast.

Results of these studies will available to and have a direct impact on the re-licensing of the nuclear facilities. The Aleutian-Alaska studies will also contribute significantly to the Multihazard Demonstration Project tsunami scenario and planned 2014 emergency management exercise.

Approach

The strategy for this project is to focus resources on specific geographic areas that are considered by consensus to be the most at risk for earthquakes, landslides or tsunamis. This approach allows flexibility to refocus efforts in response to actual catastrophic events, or needs for model validation or the development of specific hazard assessment products. The project is separated into 5 tasks based primarily on geography and differing tectonic regimes:

1. southern California Borderlands,
2. central and northern California,
3. Pacific Northwest,
4. Alaska, and
5. Hawaii and Pacific Territories.

Not all tasks will be necessarily funded in a given fiscal year, and funding for other tasks will be minimal in order to maximize resources in the most critical areas.

Tasks and SubTasks

• Southern California Borderland
  • Mapping offshore faults and landslides
  • Stratigraphic studies for dating faults and landslides
• Central and Northern California
• Alaska

Cooperators

• California Geological Survey/POC: Wilson, Rick
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute/POC: Paull, Charlie
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/POC: Whitmore, Paul
• Southern California Earthquake Center/POC: Jordan, Thomas
• University of Alaska, Fairbanks/POC: Suleimani, Elena
• National Science Foundation (NSF)/GeoPRISMS /POC: Shillington, Donna