The occurrence of tsunami damage is not limited to events causing coastal inundation. Even without flooding, maritime assets are vulnerable to significant damage from strong currents and associated drag forces. While such impacts have been observed in the past, they have not been well studied in any context. Nearshore tsunami currents are governed by nonlinear and turbulent physics and often have large spatial and temporal variability making high-fidelity modeling particularly challenging. Furthermore, measured data for the validation of numerical simulations is limited, with few quality data sets appearing after recent tsunami events. In this paper, we present a systematic approach for the interpretation of measured tsunami-induced current impacts as well as a validation approach for simulation tools. The methods and results provided here lay the foundation for much needed efforts to assess tsunami hazards in ports and harbors.

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Suggested citation: Wilson, R., Hemphill-Haley, E., Jaffe, B., Richmond, B., Peters, R., Graehl, N., Kelsey, H., Leeper, R., Watt, S., McGann, M., Hoirup, D., Chague-Goff, C., Goff, J., Caldwell, D., and Loofbourrow, C., 2014, The search for geologic evidence of distant source tsunamis using new field data in California, chap C of Ross, S.L., and Jones, L.M., eds., The SAFRR (Science Application for Risk Reduction) tsunami scenario: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 2013-1170-C, 122 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20131170c. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. ISSN 2331ISSN -1258 iii fig. 57 for location) STATE OF CALIFORNIA EDMUND G. BROWN, JR. GOVERNOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY JOHN LAIRD SECRETARY FOR RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION MARK NECHODOM DIRECTOR CALIFORNIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AbstractA statewide assessment for geological evidence of tsunamis, primarily from distant-source events, found tsunami deposits at several locations, though evidence was absent at most locations evaluated. Several historical distant-source tsunamis, including the 1946 Aleutian, 1960 Chile, and Alaska events, caused inundation along portions of the northern and central California coast. Recent numerical tsunami modeling results identify the eastern Aleutian Islands subduction zone as the "worstcase" distant-source region, with the potential for causing tsunami runups of 7-10 m in northern and central California and 3-4 m in southern California. These model results, along with a review of historical topographic maps and past geotechnical evaluations, guided site selection for tsunami deposit surveys. A reconnaissance of 20 coastal marshlands was performed through site visits and coring of shallow surface sediments to determine if evidence for past tsunamis existed. Although conclusive evidence of tsunami deposits was not found at most of the sites evaluated, geologic evidence consistent with tsunami inundation was found at two locations: Three marshes in the Crescent City area and Pillar Point marsh near Half Moon Bay. Potential tsunami deposits were also evaluated at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve in Santa Barbara County. In Crescent City, deposits were ascribed to tsunamis on the basis of stratigraphic architecture, particle size, and microfossil content, and they were further assigned to the 1964 Al...

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As a result of damage from the 2010 Chile and 2011 Japanese teletsunamis, tsunami risk to small craft marinas along the West Coast of the United States has become an important concern. This paper outlines an assessment tool that can be used to quantify the tsunami damage potential in small craft harbors. The methodology is based on the demand and capacity of a floating dock system and uses a Monte Carlo framework to address the uncertainty of input parameters. Detailed numerical modeling and damage calibration data from recent tsunamis are used to benchmark the approach. Results are provided as fragility curves and give a quantitative assessment of survivability. This tool yields an indication as to the survivability and/or failure of a floating dock system of vessels and floating components/piles subject to tsunami events. The objective of the presented effort is to quickly evaluate whether a floating dock is likely to survive or be destroyed by a particular tsunami scenario.