A tsunami is a series of sea waves, usually caused by a displacement of the ocean floor by a major earthquake. Displaced energy from the quake is transported through water and can travel thousands of miles.
As tsunamis enter shallow water near land, they increase in height and upon rare occasion can cause great loss of life and property damage. On the other hand, tsunami waves can be of the same height as waves seen every single day.
A local tsunami can come ashore within 15 minutes or less after an earthquake – well before there is time for an official warning. A distant tsunami can take hours to come ashore with more than adequate time for media alerts and official warnings and evacuation orders.
Know that Cannon Beach is located inside what is known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Scientists believe the last major earthquake and associated tsunami occurred around 1700. For both local and distant tsunamis, follow evacuation signs and locally posted directions. Click here for Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse info or here for NOAA West Coast Tsunami Warning Center.