VIDEO: California has a long history of tsunamis reaching its coast, and in some cases they’ve turned deadly. Here’s a look back at tsunamis that have impacted the California coastline.
1964 tsunami โ Crescent City
Crescent City in Northern California has historically been a hotspot for tsunamis. The coastal city was devastated in 1964 following the “Good Friday” earthquake, a magnitude 9.2 disaster that struck Alaska. The earthquake triggered a destructive tsunami that killed 13 people near the California-Oregon border. Across California, damage exceeded $160 million by modern estimates.
2006 tsunami โ Crescent City
In 2006, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake near the Kuril Islands caused a tsunami once again in Crescent City. Boats and docks were damaged, with estimates ranging up to $20 million.
2011 tsunami โ Santa Cruz
In 2011, tsunami waves hit Santa Cruz following a 9.0 quake in Japan, causing $20 million worth of damage to the harbor. The storm surge also killed a man near the Klamath River.
2022 tsunami โ Santa Cruz
Most recently in early 2022, an underwater volcano eruption near Tonga triggered flooding in Santa Cruz. The flooding damaged docks, causing upwards of $10 million in damages.
