ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On Thursday, at least 5.3 million people in California and Oregon were impacted by a tsunami warning after a measured magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Within hours, the warning was lifted.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a tsunami is a series of waves generated by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean. Large earthquakes on the ocean floor are the most common cause, but landslides, volcanic activity, meteorites and certain types of weather can also cause a tsunami event.
While they are infrequent in the U.S., weather experts say they do pose a serious threat to life and extensive damage when they do occur.
But, could this type of activity impact Florida?
What is the likelihood of a tsunami hitting Florida?
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Tsunami Hazard Profile, the probability of a tsunami hitting the state's coastline is "extremely low" due to the lack of seismic activity. However — it is not entirely impossible.
The NOAA says tsunamis typically happen where there are large faults that can generate larger earthquakes, which are primarily around the "Pacific Ring of Fire." That being said, states such as California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii are more susceptible to experiencing this type of activity.
However, while most tsunamis happen from large earthquakes, the NOAA says landslide-generated tsunamis, as well as "meteotsunamis," can happen far away from any ocean coastline.
The FDEM also states on its website, "There is scientific evidence that shows the potential for a geological event, such as a massive landslide, to take place with Cumbre Vieja in the Canary Islands. If this event were to occur, a large-scale tsunami could affect the United States’ eastern coastline, and it is expected that the eastern coastline of Florida would suffer extensive damage and loss of life."
Has Florida been hit by tsunamis in the past?
According to FDEM's report, there have been four relatively minor tsunami events in the history of Florida. All four of these tsunamis occurred on the Atlantic Coast, two of which were caused by a Caribbean earthquake. Another one was caused by an Atlantic Coast earthquake, and the fourth was from a non-Atlantic earthquake.
While no known tsunamis have ever reportedly affected the Gulf Coast of Florida, a tsunami in that location is not impossible.
A large rogue wave, not to be confused with an official tsunami, had appeared along the coast in the Daytona area in 1992. It was reportedly about ten feet above normal waves and stretched 27 miles long. There was one death and more than 75 people injured near the coastline.
"The best theory is that the wave was caused by winds from a storm front," the FDEM reports. "Another rogue wave event took place in 1995 spanning from Tampa to Naples."