Looking for tsunami info on how far inland the sea went...

[Bertha Venation]

I've read a bunch of articles and I can't find anything on how far the sea reached before rushing back out again. I realize the answer may be different for different land masses. Anyone have any links? Thanks.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

1. two to three miles inland, 15-20 ft high

is the distance/height I've heard reported most often

[Bertha Venation]

2. Thanks...

Jesus.

[idiosyncratic]

3. This doesn't answer your question, but here is a picture

[EDT]

4. This has put alot of fear into people who live right near the ocean.

I know I'd feel a little different about a place right near the shore.

[Bombtrack]

5. I would imagine it would be completely varying depending on what parts of

the coast you're talking about considering the differences in elevation and the differing angles and islands that block parts just for starters. You definetly would not be likely to find too much consistency.

[SheilaT]

6. I think it was on NPR

that I heard that typically the waves only go about a mile inland, but it vary depending on the exact topography of the given shoreline. The comparison was being made with hurricanes, where evacuees have to go many miles to get away from the hurricane, and on relatively small islands there is no safe ground at all. With tsunamis, the safe ground is only a mile or two inland, or simply getting high enough up.

What amazed me the most when watching the various videos, was that the tsunami was not a breaking wave (like the ones surfers ride) but an enormous surge of water. I was also used to the idea (obviously I watch too many movies) that the shore line would actually be wiped clean, instead of having the enormous amount of debris that is actually left behind.

[karlrschneider]

7. It can be anywhere from zero (if the coastline is a high cliff,

for example) to several miles depending on the slope of both the onshore land and the seabed offshore. Think of carrying a deep bowl nearly full of water and then trying to keep from spilling a cookie sheet also
nearly full when you try to move it...