Oregon is at risk
Oregon is at risk of experiencing a catastrophic near-shore earthquake and tsunami event. However, research shows that earthquakes and tsunamis are survivable events, and tsunami education has been credited with saving lives around the world.
Tsunami Quests are fun and engaging clue-directed hunts that help people learn about earthquake and tsunami safety at the coast. See the quests listed below.
Read about Tsunami Quests in The Daily Astorian
There are six Tsunami Quests still active from the 2023-24 edition of The Oregon Coast Quests Book.
Try them all!
Columbia River Maritime Museum Tsunami Quest
Astoria, OR
Practice walking from the riverside museum to high ground, and learn about Astoria history along the way. This Quest was made by a CRMM educator. See where the Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
City of Seaside Tsunami Wayfinding Quest
Seaside, OR
Created by City of Seaside, this Quest begins at the Seaside Convention Center takes you to the popular oceanside attractions. Then you discover how to get to high ground, which includes crossing a particular bridge that has been retrofitted to withstand seismic events. See where the Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
HMSC Tsunami Options Quest
Newport, OR
What should you do if you are in South Beach, Oregon and the ground starts to shake? This 60-minute Quest explores both the horizontal and vertical evacuation OPTIONS available in this area. See where this Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
HMSC Tsunami Building Quest
Newport, OR
What should you do if you are at Hatfield Marine Science Center and the ground starts to shake? This 30-minute Quest introduces a unique Vertical Evacuation Structure on the HMSC campus. Find out how and when to go to the roof of this building to escape a tsunami. See where this Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
Charleston Tsunami Quest
Charleston, OR
Where is the nearest high ground from the Charleston Marina? This Quest created by the Charleston Marine Life Center will show you the way. While creating this Quest, Coos County Emergency Management installed a new tsunami evacuation sign on Boat Basin Road.
See where the Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
Bandon Tsunami Quest
Bandon, OR
A Bandon High School student created this Quest to help people learn about tsunami safety. Now that she has graduated, her teacher maintains the clues and box. This is a favorite walking field trip for Ocean Crest Elementary students!
See where this Quest begins * Download the directions (pdf)
"The ability to survive a tsunami hinges on at-risk individuals having the knowledge and ability to make correct decisions and act quickly.”
- National Research Council, 2011
How to Play
Follow the directions to find and collect the hidden letter clues. Along the way, learn about what to do if the ground were to start shaking. Are you in an inundation area? If so, where should you go to get to high ground? What clues in the environment can help you find your way? At the end of the walk, your collected letter clues will tell you where you find the hidden Quest Box. Sign the guest log, stamp the back of your book, and then put the box back in its hiding spot for the next person to find.
Additional Resources
- Oregon Coast Quests program
- Oregon Sea Grant Coastal Hazards Resources
- Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse
- OSU Extension Cascadia Course
Tsunami Quest Partners
Oregon Sea Grant * OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center * Lincoln County School District * DOGAMI * Oregon State Parks * Charleston Marine Life Center * Columbia River Maritime Museum * Bandon School District