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To: Chief of Interpretation, Redwood National Park

From: Vicki Ozaki, Geologist, Redwood National Park

Subject: Tsunami Interpretive Materials

I have been involved with a local Tsunami Hazards Mitigation Group which is composed of local, state, federal and county agencies managing low lying coastal areas in northern California (Humboldt and Del Norte Counties). The group is attempting to coordinate parallel efforts by agencies on tsunami mitigation issues. One of the primary objectives of this group is to coordinate tsunami hazards signing in north coastal California. A component of mitigating for tsunami's also includes public education and outreach. Success of the current signing effort will depend on integration of the signing with concurrent interpretive and public education projects. The Tsunami Hazards Mitigation Group is interested in determining what types of information and tools would be useful for interpretation.

I recently met with Dr. Lori Dengler of the Humboldt State University Earthquake Education Center and Jim Wheeler to discuss potential tsunami interpretive materials and exhibits that could be developed for RNSP. The purpose of the meeting was to determine what tools or information would be useful to park interpreters.

The following is a list of interpretive and public education projects that would enhance the tsunami hazards warning signage in the RNSP.

1. Wayside Exhibits: Develop several waysides for site specific interpretation of paleo- tsunami history and deposits. Excellent interpretive possibilities exist for:
   • Crescent City Headquarters:
     • 1964 tsunami damage
     • Impacts from future tsunami

   • Crescent City Overlook:
     • General tsunami information

   • Enderts Beach:
     • Paleo-tsunami research and information

   • Lagoon Creek:
     • Paleo-tsunami research and information
     • Extent of past tsunami-run up (almost to Trees of Mystery)
     • Foraminifera studies (microorganisms used to determine origin of sands in the lagoon. ie. saltwater or freshwater origin.)

   • RIC:
     • Paleo-tsunami research and information
     • Native American Oral Histories

     • Permanent Display at RIC: Develop a high quality professional display/exhibit on local tsunami's at RIC. Provide paleo-tsunami information (how often, how big), cascadia subduction zone background and the great earthquake scenario, Native American oral histories, and provide a sediment cores with tsunami deposits.

     • Provide copies of the Govenor's Office Tsunami Brochure for the public at RIC, HIC and Headquarters. See enclosed brochure.

     • Develop a roadside tsunami guide for sites in RNSP. This would be similar to a roadside geology guide.

     • Provide written information on tsunami's and earthquakes for interpretive staff.

     • Develop information and tools for formal campfire program: Develop an earthquake & tsunami slide set and accompanying text for interpretive staff.

     • Add local tsunami information with nice graphics to the Park's web page. See enclosed brochure.

     • Add tsunami hazard information in the RNSP Visitor's Guide, REDW Park Map (under General Information, Safety and Management Tips), trail guides put out by the Redwood Natural History Association and state park trail maps (Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek and Del Norte Coast Redwoods) in the next printing cycle.

     • When the Yurok Loop Trail Guide is revised add an interpretive marker in the Yurok Loop Trail Guide on the paleo-tsunami history preserved in Lagoon Creek.

     • If RNSP seminars are reinstated, provide a seminar on earthquakes and tsunami.

     • Show tsunami video's at park information centers as they become available. Currently there is an 8 minute general video on tsunami's that we could obtain. There are local copies available for review.

We have an opportunity to develop a partnership with researchers and educators at Humboldt State University and develop information and tools to support our interpretation program. I am willing to work with HSU to provide materials to your staff. Ideally we would work closely with an interpreter to develop and/or review the projects listed above to ensure they were suitable for your program.

Please let me know what you might be interested in.

Thanks,

Vicki Ozaki

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Last Updated November 25, 1997

Lori Dengler: lad1@axe.humboldt.edu

Kathy Moley: km2@axe.humboldt.edu

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