# How far inland could a tsunami theoretically reach? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-inland-could-a-tsunami-theoretically-reach/283980 "2005-01-10T03:18:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-inland-could-a-tsunami-theoretically-reach/283980/21 "2005-01-11T20:30:41Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > On the Discovery program, IIRC, at least two experts said there is an upper limit for seismic-generated waves, or tsunami. I think they cited something in the 30-meter range. Actually the show said it was 33 feet, or about 10 meters, because that’s about the maximum amount of vertical slippage for an earthquake. But of course even a relatively small earthquake can cause an underwater landslide, which can apparently generate a tsunami way out of proportion with the strength of the earthquake. ---
**Author:** ![Weeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbce88/32.png) [@Weeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeks)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-inland-could-a-tsunami-theoretically-reach/283980/22 "2005-01-12T01:19:33Z")
Pretty [neat link](http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Glaciers/IceSheets/description_lake_missoula.html) about the repeated flood and release of lake missoula eons ago. Google [scablands](http://www.google.com/search?q=scablands&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=iw) to really see the bigger picture. Bet that was a wall of water! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-inland-could-a-tsunami-theoretically-reach/283980.md?page=1)