April 25, 1992 Northern California Tsunami - Trinidad, CA Narrative
Passage from Lander, et al. (1993):
"A minor but interesting tsunami was generated. It was observed directly at
Trinidad, 60 miles north of the epicenter where a fisherman was attempting to
launch his boat from his car trailer for fishing at low tide. When he arrived
the tide was exceptionally low. Before he completed unloading his boat a
six-foot wave ran up under his car. Another fisherman on the same beach was
attempting to load his boat onto his trailer when the wave returned, filling
the stern with water. Both vehicles became bogged down in the sand and had to
be pulled out.
Crab fishermen off Clam Beach 20 miles south of Trinidad observed changes in the
water of several feet while tending their pots.
Waves were also observed in Crescent City Harbor where a man had driven down to
the boat launch ramp and found the water rapidly rising up under the cab of his
vehicle. He quickly left. It was observed by harbor officials and fishermen as
oscillations of ten to fifteen minute periods and a maximum height of 35 inches
to 48 inches in the protected inner harbor by about 3:30-4:00 P.M. (Thompson,
personal communication, 1992)."
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