Japan Earthquake in San Fran..

[Manitou]

Originally Posted by Firefly

There's nothing to stop the wave. So, you generate sufficient force to create a big-ass wave, and since there's precious little to stand in its way, it's got nowhere to go until it hits something (or other conditions are met like subsurface temperature changes, amplification becoming too great to support the wave thereby causing it to topple, etc).

True, and with the depth of the Pacific the wave can travel with speed and yet remain seemingly innocuous on the surface until it reaches shallow shores where the energy is focused and the wave is forced upward.

Nonetheless it is a terrible and awe-inspiring event.

[Firefly]

Originally Posted by Manitou

Nonetheless it is a terrible and awe-inspiring event.

Yes indeed.

[Raymac]

Originally Posted by Firefly

WHOA! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! 3-4 FOOT WAVES!! OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Nothing like a mild tropical storm brushing the eastern seaboard to generate a three foot wave. Now, granted... 3-4' waves inside a marina is cause for alarm, generally they're supposed to be sheltered ports.

C'mon dude. You seem to be a smart guy who has spent a fair amount of times outdoors. I would think you would understand the difference between a 3-4' wave, and a 3-4' tsunami swell. The latter has quite a bit more power behind it as you can see in the vid that Bugger so kindly put up.