What happens when a tsunami hit?

A tsunami is a powerful wave of water that is caused by a seismic event, such as an earthquake. The size of the tsunami directly relates to the size of the earthquake. Tsunamis can be large and strong enough to destroy homes and large buildings. They commonly destroy boats, cars, roads, trees and other objects on land. read more

The most terrible and immediate human aftermath of a tsunami is loss of life. Tsunamis claimed more 255,000 lives between 1900 and 2009, including the tsunami that originated off Sumatra on December 26, 2004, which killed more than 225,000 people. read more

The worst tsunami to hit the Bay Area was triggered in 1964 by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake in Alaska, Geist says, that killed 11 people in Crescent City. That wave rolled in at just under 4 feet and damaged marinas and private boats in Marin County. read more