A tsunami is a series of ocean waves most commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the ocean floor. They can be caused by local quakes, such as in 1992, when a Cape Mendocino quake produced a tsunami that hit Humboldt Bay within 20 minutes. Tsunamis can also be caused by quakes in far away areas, such as in 1964, when an earthquake in Alaska produced a destructive tsunami that inundated Crescent City.

Tsunamis have killed in the past. They are always a possible threat in the seismically active North Coast region, however, destructive tsunamis are rare and shouldn't ruin your visit to the beach.

In the event that you do find yourself near the coast when an earthquake hits, be aware of the following guidelines:

Move to higher ground immediately. A tsunami may be coming within minutes.
Go on foot.
If there is no high ground, move inland away from the coastline.
Stay away from the coast. Later waves are often higher than the first. Waves may continue to arrive for hours.
Listen to your radio for the "all clear" signal.