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Pelagic · 11-03-2011, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dockhead

A tsunami is not dangerous in deep water away from the shore.

Not directly, but a Tsunami can help create rogue waves if its direction opposes gale force swells, so there is that to consider if you know a major one is transiting your area

vickycraze · 11-03-2011, 16:52

OMG the world is near the end , i wonder if the same tsunami and earthquake would have come in other country.. just imagine the life loss. but japan has worlds best earthquake and tsunami warning system.. technology can save life's check this

Bash · 11-03-2011, 17:13

Here in Sausalito, we're still getting tidal surges nine hours after the first one hit, but they are of much less magnitude than the early ones. One of my neighbors measured 14 knots of current on his knot log during the second surge this morning. Here's a picture of his boat, a Figi 45, during one of the surges. He's heeled about 25 degrees to port in this shot.

Across the fairway, one of my neighbors had an 18" cuddy cabin runabout tied to the stern of his sailboat, stern to the surge. The current was so powerful it swamped the boat and sank it immediately. We have no idea where the boat is at this point, but I imagine someone will find it pretty soon. Hope it's not me.

SabreKai · 11-03-2011, 17:38

In case no one is aware of this, the quakes have caused serious problems with two of the nuclear plants closest to the main epicenter. Fukushima area. It appears as if they may not be able to keep control of a total of 5 reactors at two plants. Coolant problems. No power to run the pumps, the diesel generators were knocked out in the quake and the batteries are not going to last very long. Mobile generator sets are being delivered to the sites as fast as possible, but with damage from the quakes, its kinda hard. No idea if there is a leak in the primary coolant systems or if the seawater loop is damaged, but it's not looking too good right now. Evacuation of areas of several miles radius are underway for the last few hours. This may well end up being Japans' Chernobyl.

Sabre

Don1500 · 11-03-2011, 18:33

Thanks be to all the sea gods that the damage was minor here. The sorrow is in Japan, may the survivors have comfort, and may their troubles be lightened.

I spent a year on the north east coast of Japan (Amori Prefecture), I pray that all my friends there are OK.

Gone2long · 11-03-2011, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Not directly, but a Tsunami can help create rogue waves if its direction opposes gale force swells, so there is that to consider if you know a major one is transiting your area

Good to hear that I am not the only one concerned about this situation.

It seems to me that the biggest threat to the Japanese and to the rest of us (now that the major quake and tsunami have passed) may be Japan's nuclear "state of emergency". The radiation is 1,000 times normal in the control room of one of the reactors at Fukushima and the cooling system and all backup cooling systems at two plants have failed due to the failure of THRTEEN generators, apparently used to create power for the cooling mechanisms.

The Japanese have let "air" out of one reactor (there are 4 reactors in just one of the two Fukushima plants) in order to relieve pressure that could blow the reactor casing. However, the process had to be stopped at another reactor because the valves used to release the air cannot be opened. They must be opened by hand and dangerous radiation levels are preventing operators from getting near the valve for long enough to open it.

The prevailing winds are westerly in this relatively northern part of Japan (Fukushima province, Sentai township - near center of offshore quake) making any serious leak and eventual hazard for the west coast of the US, though, of course radiation levels would drop significantly by the time that they arrived.

More worrying to many of us here in Aisa, however, is that the southern section of these westerly winds seems to turn southwest about 750 miles off shore, helping to create the NE monsoon now effecting all of Southwest Asia. Wondering if anyone familiar with wind patterns off that part of Japan can comment on the potential threat to the Phillipines and other areas under the influence of the NE monsoon, in case of major radiation leaks.

For those who can access it, NHK World (English language cable channel out of Tokyo) is continually updating these developments.

Anyone familiar with the winds off the Japan coast and their influence on the NE monsoon, please chime in.

Best regards,

G2L

PS - Having visited eastern Europe soon after the Chernobyl disaster, your Chernobyl metaphor brings back some scary memories. Even now, decades after the disaster, areas of England and other countries effected by Chernobyl, all of which were effected when winds shifted unexpectedly north, still do not allow vegetables to be grown or cattle to be raised for human consumption.

Fortytwo · 11-03-2011, 20:32

San Mateo, Del Norte County

“Up to 20 boats have sunk, with significant damage to approximately 100 private vessels. The harbor’s infrastructure has also suffered significantly,”

http://www.canyon-news.com/artman2/p...ia_Lowered.php

zeehag · 11-03-2011, 20:33

gee guys--not even a ripple-- hope everyone is accounted for and those with damage have good insurance.. this is wak...was a gorgeous day in sd--i have been waiting for the promised tsunami allll day--yeah, i know was spozed to come in at 0845-- but nothing happened so i kept waiting ..lol.. been readying boat for sailing-- have still a few lil things to get finished.

Fortytwo · 11-03-2011, 20:35

Santa Cruz, Ca Harbor

Gov. Brown Declares State of Emergency In San Mateo, Santa Cruz Counties - SFist

Fortytwo · 11-03-2011, 20:39

Crescent City

"We've got boats on top of boats down there," said Henderson. It's incorrect to say any of the craft sank because the water keeps going away, she said.

Henderson said most of the docks and about 35 boats have been damaged.

UPDATE: One Missing On California Coast As Tsunami Hits - WSJ.com

Fortytwo · 11-03-2011, 20:44

Crescent City, CA

"tsunami crushing the city's docks and as many as 35 boats, according to local reports."

California harbor 'destroyed' by tsunami, but damage less severe elsewhere - CSMonitor.com

Fortytwo · 11-03-2011, 20:48

Oregon Marina

"All our docks have been destroyed," said Chris Cantwell, the port's operations supervisor. "We have boats on top of each other."

Nation & World | Oregon marina destroyed in tsunami's wake | Seattle Times Newspaper