Future Tsunamis Planned for by Handful of California Harbors

Five California harbors are preparing for future tsunamis under a new state project that arms them with maps that identify potential problem areas.

Officials with the California Geological Survey said Friday the participating harbors include San Diego, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Ventura, Santa Cruz and Crescent City. There are also plans to expand the mapping to the more than 100 marinas and harbors.

The maps take into account tsunamis of different strengths and sources, allowing harbor managers to draw up emergency plans to get vessels to safety.

Next week is the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska earthquake. A magnitude-9.2 quake in Alaska triggered tsunami waves that killed 12 people in Northern California.