Coastal Engineering Research Center (Continued) 
Type 16 Flood Insurance Study: Tsunami Predictions for the 
West Coast of the Continental United States 
Houston, J. R., and Garcia, A. W., TR H-/8-26 
Publication Date: December 1978 
Location: US Pacific coast (excludes Alaska) 
Period of Coverage: N/A 
Contents: Calculations of runup due to tsunamis of distant origin were made 
for most of the west coast of the continental United States. Runup values 
were determined that were expected to be equaled or exceeded on the average of 
once per 100 or once per 500 years. Historical data of tsunamic activity in 
distant generation regions were used in the investigation in conjunction with 
numerical models that generated tsunamis and propagated them across the deep- 
ocean and nearshore region. The combined effects of astronomical tides and 
tsunamis were also incorporated into the analysis. Numerical simulations of 
actual historical tsunamis and comparisons of calculations with tide gage 
recordings were presented. Calculations of tsunami runup based upon data of 
local historical tsunamis (at the few locations on the west coast where there 
were sufficient historical data to allow reasonable predictions) were compared 
with predictions based upon the methods presented in the investigation. 
Available From: National Technical Information Service 
US Department of Commerce 
5285 Port Royal Road 
Springfield, VA 22161 
(703) 487-4650, FTS 737-4650 
(NTIS Accession No. AD-A063-663) 
ILI-17 
