Calica, Jennel

Hazard Hydrosphere Map: Tsunami Risk Area (Oakland, California)

Map 1: Oakland, California

Where is the hazard occurring and not occurring?

Tsunamis are unusual high current waves that are either produced by earthquakes
or a submarine landslide. The tsunami risk areas are more prominent along the lines of
San Francisco. It begins in the Richmond and San Rafael towards Palo Alto. As the data
represents, the places that have a higher chance of a tsunami hitting them are the places
that are in close proximity to an ocean next to them. The red marks are those most
affected of a possible tsunami. LiveScience reveals that coastlines that lie on the
subduction zones have a greater chance of a tsunami occurring rather, than areas that
are further from the subduction zones. Therefore, places that are not distinct in red, such
as Livermore and Tracy obtain a lower risk of a tsunami alert. Since those areas lean
more towards the east side of the map, it indicates they are further away from the
coastlines. In addition, Lisa Krieger explained the areas that are more at risk and the ones
that are not on The Mercury News. Krieger discussed, Of the at-risk structures, the
greatest number 165 are in Alameda County. About 121 are in San Francisco and
35 are in San Mateo County. Just a handful are in Contra Costa County and none are in
Santa Clara CountyEven in a large tsunami, Santa Clara County would be very safe.

Map 2: California
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Why does the hazard occur some places but not others?
The map displays an illustration that the areas that are covered with dark red spots
are tsunami risk areas. Red spots are visible along the ocean side areas due to their
surroundings. This hazard occurs in San Francisco because, the Bay Area is along the
lines of an area that an earthquake can rupture. The Bay Area lies right next to the ocean;
it is one of the first areas the waves will crash into. According to NBC Bay Area, an
earthquake along a subduction zone, a type of fault line where one plate essentially gets
pushed under the other, could trigger a tsunami that reaches the shoes of the Bay Area.
Observing to the east of the map, as you can see some places are less affected. That is
because, not only are they not as close to the ocean as San Francisco but, they are not
fixed along the subduction zone. LiveScience explains that subduction zones are the most
chaotic crash scene where tectonic plates bump in each other. The zones are formed
around the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean. In conclusion, places outside the subduction
zones (Yuba City and Roseville) are less likely to get hit by a tsunami compared to San
Francisco.
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Map 3: North America and South America

How dangerous is this hazard? How could this hazard be managed?

Tsunamis are extremely dangerous due to two reasons. A website called Science
with Me discloses that this hazard could be very fatal because of the size and speed.
Tsunamis have had a history of obtaining a speed of 500 kilometers per hour, as stated
on the website. Since this natural disaster can lead to devastating effects, it is best to
prepare for one if you are in a tsunami risk area. Cwarn.org states, it is best to be familiar
with the community if living in a place that tsunamis occur. In order to stay safe, it is
advised to retrieve a place that is 100 feet above sea level or to go further away the coast.
Always being aware of tsunami warnings are best and to plan an evacuation plan with
your family.
 Calica, Jennel

Works Cited

- Be Prepared. Tsunami Early Warning System - Prepare for a Tsunami,

cwarn.org/tsunami/be-prepared#plan.

- Brock, Sam. Bay Area Tsunami Risk Very Low, Scientists Say. NBC Bay Area, NBC Bay

Area, 21 Sept. 2017, www.nbcbayarea.com/news/Bay-Area-Tsunami-Risk-Very-Low-

Scientists-Say-380159751.html.

- Elva. About. Science for Kids, 21 Apr. 2015, sciencewithme.com/why-are-tsunamis-so-

dangerous/.

- Krieger, Lisa M. Oakland, Alameda Most Vulnerable to Tsunami within San Francisco

Bay.The Mercury News, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2016,

www.mercurynews.com/2011/03/15/oakland-alameda-most-vulnerable-to-tsunami-

within-san-francisco-bay/.

- Oskin, Becky. What Is a Subduction Zone? LiveScience, Purch, 6 May 2015,

www.livescience.com/43220-subduction-zone-definition.html.