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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Oregon scientists release new tsunami maps

Associated Press

CANNON BEACH, Ore. – New geologic maps have Cannon Beach officials thinking about putting their new city hall on stilts, about 15 feet high, and finding safer locations for schools – all to avoid tsunamis larger than those previously thought possible.

State geologists have released new maps of the town on Oregon’s north coast that show a large tsunami generated off the Oregon coast could inundate a much larger area than previously believed.

The new maps are based on computer models that take into account lessons from the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

Cannon Beach is the first community where the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries has revised tsunami maps based on the new information. Scientists are working on maps for Bandon on the southern coast and eventually will re-map all 362 miles of the state’s coast.

“Nobody in the world is doing this level of work,” group spokesman James Roddey said. “When we finish mapping the Oregon coast, we’ll be light years ahead of anyone else.”

The maps show two types of tsunamis: one triggered by an earthquake in areas such as Alaska or Asia, and another triggered by a major subduction zone off the Oregon coast. A subduction zone is where one plate of the Earth’s crust slides beneath another.

The local subduction zone could generate a much larger tsunami, which scientists now realize could be even larger than they thought.

Mayor Jay Raskin said the city is considering whether to elevate a new city hall about 15 feet, enough to clear all but the largest tsunamis. A drawing shows a building supported by a grid of columns.

The structure would provide shelter for residents who may not have time to evacuate to higher ground. Similar structures have been built in coastal areas of Japan.

The maps also show that Cannon Beach and Seaside schools are within the likely tsunami inundation zone, so the school district is exploring consolidating them on safe, higher ground, Raskin said.