If a huge earthquake hit off the coast of Alaska, tsunami waves would rush toward California, flooding the country's biggest port complex and causing major economic damage, according to a hypothetical scenario released Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and others to help prepare emergency planners. Tsunamis are a real but rare threat to California. After the 2011 Japan disaster, tsunami waves surged across the Pacific Ocean and damaged the northern California commercial fishing village of Crescent City. Scientists say a closer offshore earthquake would create more damage, flooding the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, forcing coastal communities to evacuate, and destroying boats.
