To:
U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From:
NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska
Tsunami Warning Center
Subject:
Tsunami Advisory
#9 issued 02/27/2010 at 7:04AM PST
A Tsunami Advisory
is in effect which includes the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the California-Mexico border to Attu, Alaska.
A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of
producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near
the water is imminent or expected. Significant, widespread inundation
is not expected for areas
under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats,
and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the
initial wave arrival.
At 10:34 PM Pacific Standard Time on February 26, an
earthquake with
preliminary magnitude 8.8
occurred near the coast of central Chile
.
(Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.)
This earthquake has generated a tsunami which could
cause damage to coastal regions in a warning or advisory.
The waves are expected to first reach
La Jolla, California at 0:02 PM PST on February 27.
Estimated tsunami arrival times
and maps
along with safety rules
and other information
can be found on the WCATWC
web site.
A tsunami has been observed at the following sites:
Location Lat. Lon. Time Amplitude
------------------------ ----- ------ ------- -----------
Talcahuano C 36.7S 73.1W 0657UTC 1.84M/6.1 FT
San Felix Ch 26.3S 80.1W 0832UTC 0.81M/2.7 FT
Caldera Chil 27.1S 70.8W 0746UTC 0.52M/1.7 FT
Coquimbo Chi 29.9S 71.3W 0902UTC 1.27M/4.2 FT
Iquique Chil 20.2S 70.2W 0851UTC 0.30M/1.0 FT
Antofagasta 23.3S 70.4W 0956UTC 0.46M/1.5 FT
Ancud Chile 41.9S 74.3W 0943UTC 0.34M/1.1 FT
Corral Chile 39.9S 73.4W 1012UTC 1.54M/5.1 FT
Callao La Pun 12.1S 77.2W 1029UTC 0.66M/2.2 FT
Baltra Ecuad 0.4S 90.3W 1251UTC 0.35M/1.2 FT
The tsunami advisory for the U.S. west coast, British Columbia,
and Alaska indicates that strong currents are expected at the
shoreline with potentially some minor inundation. Preliminary
tsunami amplitude forecasts at select points are:
La Jolla, CA 0.7M/2.3 FT Los Angeles, CA 0.6M/2.0 FT
Mailbu, CA 0.8M/2.6 FT Pt. San Luis, CA 0.7M/2.3 FT
Half Moon Bay, CA 0.8M/2.6 FT Crescent City, CA 0.5M/1.7 FT
Port Orford, OR 0.2M/0.7 FT Morro Bay, CA 0.7M/2.2 FT
Santa Monica, CA 1.0M/3.3 FT
Time - Time of measurement.
Amp. - Tsunami amplitudes are measured relative to normal sea
level. It is NOT crest-to-trough wave height.
Values are given in both meters (M) and feet (FT).
Tsunamis
can be dangerous waves that are not survivable. Wave heights are
amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to forecast.
Tsunamis often appear as a strong surge and may be preceded by a
receding water level. Mariners in water deeper than 600 feet should
not be affected by a tsunami. Wave heights will increase rapidly as
water shallows. Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves which can be
dangerous for several hours after the initial wave arrival. DO NOT
return to evacuated areas until an all clear is given by local civil
authorities.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue messages for Hawaii and
other areas of the Pacific outside the states and provinces listed
above.
This message will be updated in 60 minutes or sooner if
the situation warrants. The tsunami message will remain
in effect until further notice. For further information stay tuned
to NOAA Weather Radio, your local TV or radio stations, or see
the WCATWC web site.
Link to Standard Warning Message
Link to Public Warning Message
Link to XML/CAP Message
Link to Printable Message