April 13, 1949 Puget Sound Tsunami - Salmon Beach Narrative

Passage from Lander, et al. (1993):

"An eleven million cubic yard landslide occurred on Point Defiance, at the Tacoma Narrows when a 400 foot high cliff gave way and slid into the water. "The water receded 20-25 feet from its normal tide line with an ominous sucking sound. Then an eight foot tidal wave rushed back against the beach smashing small boats, dock areas, a wooden boardwalk and other waterfront installations" (Tacoma News-Tribune, April 18, 1949, p. 1).

There was a row of homes at Salmon Beach at the foot of the cliff which was narrowly missed by the slide but sustained the damage listed above. The opposite shore from the slide was uninhabited (Tacoma News-Tribune, April 17, 1949, pp. 1, 2).

Although this event occurred three days after the earthquake, it is the result of weakening of the cliff from the shaking. A crack remained on top of the cliff above the homes."

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