[Paddlewise] Tsunamis

            Even before the tragic events in South Asia I have long given
thought to tsunami waves and kayaking. Here in Alaska I have twice been
evacuated from my house to high ground because of the fear that an earthquake
had generated a tsunami. Neither quake created a wave but we were not about to
take the chance.

            As paddlers maybe a good discussion about tsunamis might be in
order.

            First most tsunamis are created by an earthquake, or land slide
either above or below the sea. The great tsunami at Lituya Bay (1400 foot
wave) was caused by a combination of an earthquake and a land slide.

            If you are on the sea or the beach an earthquake is an ominous
sign. I have had friends who have been on the water in power boats during
earthquakes. They described the water as getting "weird or strange". Rather
than regular waves the water seemed to be bouncing about them with irregular
pyramid waves rising up everywhere. They also reported feeling queasy or like
something was wrong but they did not know what. They also described the
shoreline as well as the trees and glaciers undulating!

            If I were in a kayak and felt a quake I would head for deep water
instead of the land. If this seems the wrong thing to do then let me explain
why I would not head to shore.           The size of a tsunami depends on a
mathematical formula measuring wave height and the depth of the sea. In deep
water the tsunami may appear just like another swell, but in shallow water the
wave would suddenly rise up and wreaks havoc. At least in Alaskan the bottom
of the ocean drops off quickly giving the paddler a chance to get to deep
water.

            If I am actually feeling the quake, the wave it generated would
arrive quickly and I would probably not have time to make it to shore. The
Lituya wave hit the fishing boats in Lituya Bay within minutes of the quake.

            Remember though you may not feel the quake even on land. The
actual quake may have been many, many miles away. Tsunamis can travel
thousands of miles at great speed.

            If there is a tsunami warning the Coast guard will alert mariners
via channel 16 of the VHF radio. However you have to have you VHF on to hear
it and most of us do not leave our radios on all the time.

            One of the signs of a tsunami is the tide goes out real far and
real quick. Off shore I would presume that the current would begin to speed up
and the water would start to "look weird".  Paddling straight to shore I
probably could not be able to overcome the current and by the time I got to
shore the wave would be there.

            One of the most important things to remember is that a tsunami can
actually be a series of waves rather than one. Going ashore after the first
wave passes may place you in greater danger. If you do plan to land I would
"hit the ground running " and head for the hills. Yes that means abandoning
gear but gear is only good to you if you are still alive. Sometimes quakes
destabilize the undersea topography and delayed slides can occur, not to
mention quake after shocks, creating more waves.

            If you are camping along the shore, or hiking, bathroom break or
what ever and you see the tide rush out then head for the hills. Forget trying
to carry your boat to safety. You may barely have time to save your self.
Tsunamis have gotten many people who have wandered down to the beach to check
out the "real low tide". Watching the old movies of the wave that hit Valdez
Alaska in 1964, tsunamis move a lot faster than any of us can run. Also
survivors report the tsunami sounding like a freight train or a big roar. If
you are a sleep and dream you hear a train out on the ocean "run!"

            Sometimes tsunamis don't come as a wave but as an extremely high
tide. The '64 quake lifted the tide 5 to 10 feet above normal in places here
in Southeast Alaska. So an unusual or extreme high tide should be taken as a
dire warning.

            I realize this is not very entertaining reading but the fact is
that tsunamis do occur. Surviving one I would think would probably have more
to do with luck (out in deep water as opposed to taking a pee break on shore
when the wave hit.) than any thing else. I doubt that our paddling skill would
hold up long if we got caught but a tsunami but I would hope I would "die
trying".

            One more thing. In the event of a tsunami all Paddlewise
restrictions on prayer and religion are hereby suspended. Sorry could resist a
little humor in the midst of such a sober discussion.



Bob
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