Tsunamis along the Coasts of Puerto Rico
Nestled between two tectonic boundaries, is Puerto Rico in danger of a catastrophic tsunami?
Where is Puerto Rico located?
Tectonic History
Image of Puerto Rican Trench near northern coasts of Puerto Rico and Muertos Trough near southern coast. Source: NOAA Exploration
Puerto Rico is bordered by two tectonically active areas. To the North is the North American plate which is being subducted under the Caribbean plate creating the Puerto Rican trench which lies approximately 207 km to the North of the island. The southern portion of Puerto Rico is bounded by the Muertos trough which sits 86 km to the South of the island and is formed from thrust faulting.
What is a Tsunami?
Image source: Vikks/Shutterstock
A tsunami is an ocean wave with a long wavelength. Tsunamis can be generated by underwater landslides, earthquakes, volcanic flank collapses into the ocean and any other mass movement that causes a large vertical shift in the ocean's water column. As waves reach shallower waters, waves build-up and increase in height. Tsunamis are most hazardous to areas that have dense populations close to low lying areas.
Tsunami History of Puerto Rico
Historical Tsunamis of Puerto Rico
Areas at Risk
Image source: http://www.geo-ref.net/ph/pri.htm
Tsunamis are most hazardous to areas that have dense populations close to low lying areas near the shore. 2021 census data for Puerto Rico shows that dense populations can be found by the coasts and near rivers. Unfortunately census data does not represent the constant flux of tourists and cruise ships in and out of the ports of Puerto Rico.
