To:
U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From:
NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska
Tsunami Warning Center
Subject:
Tsunami Advisory
#15 issued 02/27/2010 at 1:05PM 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.
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
------------------------ ----- ------ ------- -----------
Santa Monica CA 34.0N 118.5W 2024UTC 0.64M/2.1ft
Rikitea Fr. Polynesia 23.1S 135.0W 1737UTC 0.28M/0.9ft
San Felix Chile 26.3S 80.1W 0841UTC 0.59M/2.0ft
Santa Cruz Galapagos E 0.5S 90.2W 1240UTC 1.08M/3.5ft
Waitangi Chatham Islan 43.9S 176.6W 1932UTC 0.55M/1.8ft
Raoul Is. Fishing Dock 29.3S 177.9W 1937UTC 0.26M/0.9ft
Pago Pago Amer. Samoa 14.3S 170.7W 2030UTC 0.43M/1.4ft
Owenga Chatham NZ 44.0S 176.4W 2003UTC 0.75M/2.5ft
Baltra Ecuador 0.4S 90.3W 1430UTC 0.45M/1.5ft
Quepo Costa Rica 9.4N 84.2W 1417UTC 0.27M/0.9ft
Tsunami Forecasts at selected points - more on web site
La Jolla, CA 0.8M/2.6 FT Los Angeles, CA 0.8M/2.6 FT
Malibu, CA 1.0M/3.3 FT Pismo Beach, CA 1.4M/4.6 FT
Half Moon Bay, CA 1.0M/3.3 FT San Diego, CA 0.4M/1.3 FT
Humboldt Bay, CA 0.4M/1.3FT Crescent City, CA 0.6M/2.0 FT
Santa Monica, CA 1.2M/3.9 FT Moclips, WA 0.4M/1.3 FT
Santa Barbara, CA 0.8M/2.6 FT Laguna Beach, CA 0.9M/2.9 FT
Seward, AK 0.4M/1.3 FT Kodiak, AK 0.7M/2.3 FT
Forecasts indicate the expected height above normal sea level.
Tsunamis are expected to peak two to four hours after arrival.
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