Tsunami Question?

Question

If California was to break off into the ocean how big of a Tsunami would it make? What would it's global effects be?

It has actually been said that part of Cali along the fault line would one day break off. But that is fine we can call it a hypothetical question.

Answer 1

If, and note I say "if", CA were to "break off" it could create an enormous tsunami, since that would essentially be the biggest known landslide ever. However, CA will not break off. That is not physically possible because most of California is as much a part of the North American plate as is Nevada, Arizona, Texas, etc.. The small part that is on the Pacific plate is separated by the San Andreas Fault. That fault is a strike-slip fault, which means the two sides move horizontally, not over or under each other.

So, the short answer is that if we pretend CA could break off and fall into the ocean, then the hypothetical tsunami would be larger than any seen before, and we should all be very grateful that it won't happen!!! :D

Answer 2

If California were to break off into the ocean in an earthquake (which will never happen) it would make the biggest tsunami the world has ever known. It would inundate continents for hundreds of miles inland. Earthquakes that large do not happen on earth--you're talking about offset of a hundred miles or so, but very large earthquakes only have offsets of tens of feet.

Answer 3

It is not a plausible situation, but it would be a globally catastrophic event, were it to occur.

For lots of good tsunami info go to:

http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/