Tsunami warning discontinued after Alaska’s 7.2 earthquake
One AmericaJul 31, 2023
7.0 Earthquake Triggers Brief Tsunami Warning on US West Coast
story
Above: The Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. Image copyright: Unsplash
The Facts
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 61 miles (99 km) west-southwest of Ferndale, Calif., just before 11 am local time on Thursday, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 km (six miles).
The earthquake occurred near the triple junction of the Pacific, North American, and Juan de Fuca tectonic plates, with a significant 5.8-magnitude aftershock recorded near Cobb, Calif., in Lake County.
The Spin
Narrative A
Climate change is driving sea-level rise, amplifying tsunami risks by increasing wave heights and extending the areas affected. Studies show that ports face greater disruptions under extreme sea-level scenarios, with closures lasting over 200 days. In response, we must integrate sea-level projections into tsunami models, strengthen port infrastructure, and develop regional adaptation strategies.
Narrative B
Climate alarmists continue to undermine their credibility on rising sea levels which they tie to threats like tsunamis. In fact, it's highly questionable whether the rate of sea level rise is nearly enough to make a perceptible impact in a situation like this one. Rather than fearmongering about climate chaos, a better solution is simply developing better tsunami preparedness plans and resilient infrastructure for when earthquakes invariably strike.
