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U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 03-13

Cascadia Tsunami Deposit Database

By Robert Peters, Bruce Jaffe, Guy Gelfenbaum, and Curt Peterson

Abstract

The Cascadia Tsunami Deposit Database contains data on the location and sedimentological properties of tsunami deposits found along the Cascadia margin. Data have been compiled from 52 studies, documenting 59 sites from northern California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia that contain known or potential tsunami deposits. Bibliographical references are provided for all sites included in the database. Cascadia tsunami deposits are usually seen as anomalous sand layers in coastal marsh or lake sediments. The studies cited in the database use numerous criteria based on sedimentary characteristics to distinguish tsunami deposits from sand layers deposited by other processes, such as river flooding and storm surges. Several studies cited in the database contain evidence for more than one tsunami at a site. Data categories include age, thickness, layering, grainsize, and other sedimentological characteristics of Cascadia tsunami deposits. The database documents the variability observed in tsunami deposits found along the Cascadia margin.

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URL of this page: http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of03-13/
Maintained by: Carolyn Donlin
Created: 2-3-03
Last modified: 3-6-03 (cad)