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What
are my risks?
History
of tsunamis in Hawaii County
 Click
to enlarge
Although
Hilo has experienced more damaging tsunamis than other
Hawaiian coastal cities during recorded history, there
is no scientific data to support the fallacy that Hilo
is more susceptible to tsunami inundation.
Since
1812, 25 tsunami have adversely impacted the Big Island.
Three were generated by seismic displacements along Kilauea's
southeastern flanks, such as the 1975 Halape earthquake.
This tsunami's waves were 25-50 feet, devastated the area
within minutes, and sadly brought an end to the lives
of two people camped at Halape. There was no warning and
no time to respond.
Twenty-two
of the tsunami which damaged the big island traveled thousands
of miles across the Pacific - such as from Alaska, Chile,
Japan, and Tonga.
One
of the most devastating of these distant tsunamis occurred
on April 1, 1946. Runup heights of >9 ft were measured
on all sides of the islands and the maximum of 55 feet
was reported near Upolu Point. In Hilo, the wave rushed
up 26 feet and inundated the low-lying ocean front causing
extensive damage, which would be relived by the 1957 and
1960 tsunamis.
Am
I at risk?
If
you live in a low-lying coastal area, you are at risk.
All low-lying coastal areas can be struck by tsunami.
To
see Hawaii County’s Tsunami Evacuation Maps, go to the
front section of your phone book or click
here.
For
more information, contact Hawaii Civil Defense Agency
(808)935-0031.
Source:
Fletcher, Charles, Eric Grossman, Bruce Richmond. Atlas
of Natural Hazards in the Hawaiian Coastal Zone. 2000. |
