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#Earthquake Tsunami 12/05/24/1330PST: Warning panic, forcing thousands to be trapped on freeways in N. California. Was the alert premature, did it meet the criteria? Artificial Intelligence (AI) Investigates:
//WHITELIGHTNING//DIVAIRESEARCH//IMMEDREL//12/05/24/1400PST//
(Begin Perplexity-AI)
california minimum seismic activity for tsunami warning
For a tsunami warning to be issued in California, the seismic activity must meet specific criteria, particularly in relation to earthquakes that occur underwater or near the ocean. Here are the key factors:
Magnitude
The earthquake must be of a significant magnitude. Typically, earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater are capable of generating tsunamis5
.Location
The earthquake must occur underneath or near the ocean. Earthquakes that happen offshore, especially those close to the coastline, are more likely to trigger tsunami warnings5
.Depth and Vertical Movement
The earthquake should be at a depth that allows for significant vertical movement of the sea floor. Shallow earthquakes with vertical displacement are more likely to generate tsunamis5
.Example from Recent Event
The recent 7.0-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northern California, which occurred at a depth of about 6.2 miles (10 km), prompted a tsunami warning due to its location and magnitude3
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.In summary, for a tsunami warning to be issued in California, the earthquake generally needs to be:- Of magnitude 7.0 or greater
- Located underwater or near the ocean
- At a depth that allows for significant vertical movement of the sea floor.
What triggers a tsunami warning in California
A tsunami warning in California is triggered by a combination of specific factors related to an earthquake, particularly those that occur offshore or near the coast. Here are the key elements:
Magnitude
The earthquake must be of a significant magnitude. In the recent case, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake was sufficient to trigger a tsunami warning1
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.Location
The earthquake needs to occur underwater or close to the coast. The recent earthquake that triggered a tsunami warning occurred approximately 62 miles off the coast of Ferndale, California1
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.Depth
The earthquake should be relatively shallow to effectively displace the ocean floor. The recent quake was about 6 miles beneath the Earth's surface, which is considered shallow and capable of generating a tsunami1
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.Type of Earthquake and Tectonic Activity
While the type of earthquake (e.g., strike-slip, thrust) can influence the likelihood of a tsunami, vertical displacement of the sea floor is crucial. The recent 7.0-magnitude earthquake was a strike-slip event, occurring in the Mendocino fault zone where three tectonic plates converge. However, the primary concern is the displacement of the ocean floor, which can generate tsunami waves1
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.Potential for Coastal Inundation
Tsunami warnings are issued when there is a potential for significant inundation and coastal flooding. The warning area in the recent case extended from Davenport, California, to the border of Douglas and Lane counties in Oregon, indicating anticipated notable flooding and coastal inundation based on the earthquake's location1
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.In summary, a tsunami warning in California is triggered by an earthquake that:- Has a magnitude of 7.0 or greater
- Occurs offshore or near the coast
- Is relatively shallow (around 6 miles or less below the Earth's surface)
- Has the potential to displace the ocean floor, leading to coastal flooding and inundation.
Full Text/Links: california minimum seismic activity for tsunami warning
End Perplexity-AI)