5.0 earthquake off Oregon coast triggers memories of destructive tsunamis

Some may remember the Japan tsunami that struck the coast of Oregon in 2011.

Dozens of boats were found smashed up against each other while other boats sank into the ocean. Then, a six-foot-tall dock, believed to be from Japan, washed ashore in Newport more than a year later. Then in 2022, a volcanic eruption more than 5,000 miles away sent waves into the Oregon coast, which triggered a tsunami advisory.

“I thought it was going to be worse than what it was, but it was just the volcano erupted underwater, and it was ended up being a six-foot wave,” Steven Guasp, a cook at Newport Café remembered. “It was a reality check, really, was of the seriousness of what could possibly happen living on the coast."

On Thursday, a 5.0 earthquake struck. The U.S. Geological Survey said it happened about 75 miles from Coos Bay.

"My mom, she's super worried about the tsunamis that could come. So, she was pretty stressed out about it,” Zachary Cromwell, manager at Newport Café, said. “I didn't look at it as anything too substantial because I didn't feel anything."

Earthquakes are common off the Oregon coast as it sits along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, but it is also a reminder how vulnerable the region can be.

Newport's risk to a tsunami is about 100 times higher than the risk to a tornado anywhere in the U.S., according to FEMA.

“Since 2011, Newport, Oregon has worked to increase the safety of its residents and businesses against the threat of a tsunami,” a report from FEMA said. “In partnership with other public and private entities, the city identified and retrofitted a tsunami assembly area, ‘Safe Haven Hill.’”

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management said they have been working with cities and counties to help locals and officials prepare for the big one.
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KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.

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[bandido]

Key words, it happened yesterday and it was not felt on land.

[lealoo]

There's also Volcanos that are showing activity that is concerning. I used to live in Portland and Seattle, gorgeous country, but scary to think about.

[YouthfulOne]

Wouldn’t it be great if the “anchors/journalists” who report on something actually know HOW to correctly pronounce the region/area they supposedly live in?!

[opulentlilt]

I was there during the 2011 one and it was amazing to see that solid white single wave coming toward us from the horizon all the way across as far as you could see.

[TheAlgomalo]

Using the phone propped up on the tree as an infographic was some top notch journalism 😂

[Fonoyb]

Cascadia Earthquake is Due and will be Devastating

[juliebradley]

1965 was in Crescent City, I was there.

[seaangelgrrl]

Knew this the day it happened. W/in 10min of it as well. Resource- several YT channels.
But I’m just now getting an update from my local news about it. Got it.

[allenra]

Just so everyone knows, if the magnitude is less than about 7.5 there will not be a big tsunami. If the epicenter is not under the ocean or a large lake, there will not be a tsunami. And if the focus is deeper than 20 km, it is not likely that a tsunami will happen

[lovelight]

I was gonna say my shake app didn't alert anything! Pisses me off. I get every other earthquake around the world though!

[felix]

Holy smokes, I was just there a few days ago. I took a 5 days vacation on route 101 but stay in newport and yachts!! Beautiful place you love your visit!!! Appreciate mother natureeee

[carlerickson]

The slightly worrisome thing about this quake was its proximity to the cascadia fault unlike most of the many previous moderate quakes that have been along the Juan de fuca fault.

[Conquest]

We have alot in California, Never fails im in the shower when one happens! Stay strong Oregon! I was born and raised there proud Orgonian here!

[LeslieFresita]

Wow that is scary! Thank goodness it was not bad 🙏

[MSaintG]

On Good Friday, March 27, 1964, at 5:36 p.m., the largest earthquake to be measured in North America occurred at a magnitude of 9.2, creating a tsunami that, a few hours later, left an unforgettable tract of damage and destruction along the Oregon coast. This March, it will have been 58 years since the tsunami hit.

[GH-oijf]

This temblor was in the Blanco Transform Fault Zone, which is a strike-slip fault. Quakes are common there. It is not where the tsunami threat comes from.

[jerrydillard]

I lived in Alaska but was fortunate to leave 2 months before the earthquake hit. Dodged a bullit

[charlespackwood]

Quakes were caused by the Ducks stomping the Buckeyes.

[mikk]

His accent sounds international, so I’m a little sympathetic to not pronouncing Oregon cities and names correctly, but as a local news station, KATU needs to double time working on local pronunciation before going live. It’s a local channel, they need to get this right.

[khymchristensen]

Oregon dept of Emergency management did not even issue an alert ? What the Hell do we even pay taxes for ???