Are You Safe from Tsunami, in a Worst Case Scenario, Magnitude 9 Subduction Zone Earthquake in Humboldt County?

Presentation Year

2026

College or Department

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

Humboldt County is located above a major plate boundary called the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Every several hundred years, the plate interface ruptures, causing a magnitude 8-9 earthquake, and disrupts the seafloor and water column, resulting in tsunami waves that will surge onshore in low-lying coastal areas. This interactive poster visually explains how tsunamis form, tests participants' understanding about tsunamis, and presents up-to-date tsunami hazard maps in Humboldt County. We seek to debunk common myths and misconceptions, and educate and empower our community to prepare for a local tsunami event.

Permission to Publish Work

Yes

Presentation File Upload

geology-michalak-melanie-203538-4x3.pdf (13.58 MB)

Primary Contact: First Name

Melanie

Primary Contact: Last Name

Michalak

Primary Contact: Email

mjm367@humboldt.edu

Primary Contact: I am a

Faculty

Primary Contact: Phone Number

7078264978

Indicate File Dimensions

4'x3'