Can a tsunami hit the Golden Gate Bridge?

In Ward's simulations, the wave reaches a maximum height of about 30 feet. “That's barely to the top the pylon,” says Ward, who is confident that the bridge would have no trouble withstanding the wave energy. “It probably wouldn't even touch the steel.”



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If a Richter magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake centered near the Bridge, there would be a substantial risk of impending collapse of the San Francisco and Marin Approach Viaducts and the Fort Point Arch, and extensive damage to the remaining Bridge structures, including the Main Suspension Bridge.

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Since it opened on May 27, 1937, there have been an estimated 1,600 deaths in which the body was recovered, and many more unconfirmed.

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The deck of the bridge is about 245 feet (75 m) above the water. After a fall of four seconds, jumpers hit the water at around 75 mph (120 km/h). Most of the jumpers die due to impact trauma. About 5% of the jumpers survive the initial impact but generally drown or die of hypothermia in the cold water.

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Live load capacity per lineal foot is 4,000 lbs (1,814.4 kg). The three maximum deflections noted above at the center of the suspension bridge are due to the following loading conditions: The transverse deflection is due to a sustained transverse wind load.

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The bridge's two main towers each rise 746 feet above the water and are strung with 80,000 miles of cable. The Golden Gate Bridge is a historical landmark and has carried well over two billion vehicles since opening to traffic.

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