SKAMOKAWA, Wash. – Authors and tsunami experts Brian Atwater and David Yamaguchi speak about their new book, “The Orphan Tsunami of 1700,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at Redmen Hall on State Route 4 in Skamokawa, Wash. Copies of the book will be on sale, and a reception with refreshments will follow the presentation.

“The Orphan Tsunami of 1700” documents a giant earthquake that occurred on the Pacific Coast of the United States Jan. 26, 1700, and caused a tsunami in Japan. Through examination of Japanese records, Native American stories, tree rings and sediment layers, including some on Hunting Island in Wahkiakum County, Wash., the authors pieced together a fascinating story of one of the giant Cascadia earthquakes. According to them, the next great Cascadia earthquake has a one in 10 chance of occurring in the next 50 years, and may attain a magnitude 9. This makes their story of great importance to anyone who lives in this region.

Atwater has worked for the U.S. Geological Survey for 30 years and is based at the University of Washington. Yamaguchi is a Seattle-born grandson of Japanese immigrants and holds a doctorate degree in forestry from the UW.