July 31, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

USC Researcher Warns of Tsunami Possibility in Offshore Earthquake

tsunami
A 7..9 earthquake off the coast of California with shallow depth could case a tsunami to hit the Los Angeles area, a researcher said. (Thinkstock)

While a magnitude-7.9 earthquake in Alaska this week was too deep to unleash a tsunami, a University of Southern California researcher warned on June 25 that a similar, shallower temblor could potentially send destructive waves to California’s coastline.

“Here in California, we always have to be aware that there is a tsunami threat coming from many different places. And so these types of events serve as reminders that when we see large earthquakes occurring … we need to be aware, we need to be prepared,” Patrick J. Lynett told the press,

Lynett, an associate professor in the Dept. of Engineering at USC, worked on a U.S. Geological Survey study last year that modeled how a magnitude-9.1 earthquake could cause a tsunami that would damage California harbors and low-lying coastal areas.

He said a large quake from the Aleutian Islands could send waves that would cause flooding and strong currents in Southern California. In Northern California, there is a greater threat of very large waves and significant flooding, Lynett said.

“In particular, the local authorities in all of our coastal counties need to be ready to take action to prepare their residents for these tsunamis,” Lynett said.

In Southern California, a tsunami could cause currents that are strong enough to pull ships off their moorings and cause a lot of damage to docks, he said. Southland beachgoers would not see a large breaking wave coming, according to Lynett, who said it “would look more like a gradual rise in the water in most places.”

He added that coastline residents and visitors should take note of tsunami hazard warning signs and listen to officials when they say to get off the beach.

“If you are in a beach area and there is tsunami coming that may flood the beach, you shouldn’t be there,” Lynett said.

According to the study, cliffs protect most of California’s coast.

Related Posts

The Getty Unveils Trellis Bar & Lounge: Sip Art-Inspired Cocktails with a Gorgeous View

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

New Alfresco Experience Offers Seasonal Drinks, Light Bites, and Stunning Architecture Visitors to the Getty Center can now unwind with...

Lulu Hosts Summer Tardeada With Guest Chef From Oakland’s Bombera

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Chef Dominica Rice-Cisneros Joins Alice Waters for a Courtyard Celebration Lulu, the acclaimed restaurant located at the Hammer Museum, will...

Film Review: Together

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Dave Franco and Alison Brie, a married couple in real life, star in Michael Shanks’ gruesomely passionate...

Heidi Klum’s Tropical Erewhon Smoothie Drops Just in Time for Summer

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Supermodel’s Limited-Edition Drink Blends Kiwi, Coconut, and Matcha Erewhon has debuted its newest celebrity smoothie collaboration, this time with supermodel...

Westchester Del Rey Stuns Tucson With 11-Run Inning to Reach World Series

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Westside Team Heads to Greenville, North Carolina to Compete for Glory  Westchester Del Rey Little League is headed to the...

Tsunami Advisory Issued for Los Angeles Coast After 8.7 Quake Near Russia

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Strong Currents, Surges Expected; Residents Urged to Avoid Beaches and Harbors Update from NWS Los Angeles at 6:50 a.m. “Latest...

Brazen Wheel Thieves Hit Beverly Grove, Hollywood Neighborhoods

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Early-Morning Thefts Leave Cars on Blocks; Residents Coordinate  Los Angeles police are investigating a growing number of wheel thefts reported...

UCLA Agrees to $6.1 Million Settlement Over Alleged Discrimination During Campus Protests

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Faculty Group Argued Protest Wasn’t Antisemitic; Judge Approval Still Pending UCLA will pay more than $6 million to settle a...

Fiesta La Ballona Returns to Culver City With Rides, Food, and Family Fun

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Discounted Unlimited Ride Wristbands Now Available Online Fiesta La Ballona is set to return to Veterans Memorial Park on August 22–24,...

Man Arrested After Threatening Westwood Village Ambassadors With a Blade

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

LAPD Says Suspect Wielded Box Cutter Near Weyburn and Glendon Authorities arrested a man Sunday afternoon following a confrontation in...

Felony Charges Dropped for Man in UCLA Encampment Attack After Diversion Deal

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Malachi Marlan-Librett Must Complete Therapy, Anti-bias Training in Hate Crime Case The only person charged with a felony in connection...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation,...

Second Grenade Still Missing After Blast That Killed Three LA Sheriff’s Detectives

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Only One Grenade Exploded; The Second Device Has Vanished Authorities said Friday that one of two grenades recovered last week...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...