Education
We host seminars and open houses, and use specialized field equipment and laboratories for analyzing samples. Learn more about us, here!
Seminars
Check out our upcoming Science Seminar Series schedule and join our virtual seminar presentations
Field Equipment
Learn about the wide array of field equipment and capabilities at our Marine Facility (MarFac)
Laboratories
Learn all about our state-of-the-art laboratories at our Science Center in Santa Cruz, California
Life of a Tsunami
Life of a Tsunami
Could It Happen Here?
The Question: Soon after the devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004 and in Japan on March 11, 2011, many people have asked, "Could such a tsunami happen in the United States?"
Local Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest
In the past century, several damaging tsunamis have struck the Pacific Northwest coast (Northern California, Oregon, and Washington). All of these tsunamis were distant tsunamis generated from earthquakes located far across the Pacific basin and are distinguished from tsunamis generated by earthquakes near the coast—termed local tsunamis.
Featured Photos and Videos
Keep watching this page for more photos from our scientists!
Coral Reef Facts
These facts about coral reefs are presented in conjunction with the USGS Coral Reef Project.
Science Posters
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center created posters about each of these completed research projects. Here, the posters are presented along with additional information.