When is a Tsunami Not a Tsunami?

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The answer is... last night, when a magnitude 7 earthquake in the ocean off Crescent City gave California's coastal communities a test of the warning system all the way to the Mexican border. Last night's warning turned out to be a false alarm, but it caused a lot of confusion on the coast of California. In 1964, an earthquake in the same area caused a tsunami that killed 11 people and washed away 29 city blocks. We speak with geologists and emergency responders about what worked and what didn't, and learn what a real tsunami might mean in Southern California.
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California earthquake activity

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Bresnahan's article on Lakers, Jackson

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton