Tsunami Advisory Issued for West Coast, Hawaii and Alaska
Widespread tsunmai warnings were issued after an earthquake in Chile whose magnitude was a staggering 8.8 on the Richter Scale struck in the early hours of the morning. Details of the devastation are still coming in, and the area has seen more than 50 aftershocks, many at 5.0 or higher. The magnitude of the quake has caused immediate concern about the potential of a tsunami.
The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for Alaska’s southern coast and the Aleutian Islands following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.
The Tsunami Warning Center says an advisory means “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.”
The Tsunami Warning Center only expects a 2.3 foot surge for Seward, but they are warning people to stay out of the water and take extreme caution while boating in areas affected by the advisory.
The Coast Guard says it has issued an urgent marine information broadcast alerting anyone out on the ocean of the possible tsunami.
Coast Guard officials say they expect the wave to reach Kodiak by 4:30 p.m. AKST and only have a wave height of 2.3 feet.
In Hawaii, preparations are being made for a tsunami heading for the islands, and coastal evacuations are ongoing. According to a report from MSNBC, the Navy is sending 8 ships out to sea from Pearl Harbor to avoid potential damage from a breaking wave. It is expected to reach the state by noon. Live coverage from Hawaii can be seen HERE.
According to infortion from the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake is one of the strongest in the last century. The most severe earthquake recorded occured in 1960 and measured 9.5 with the epicenter also located in Chile. The second strongest earthquake was Alaska’s “Good Friday” earthquake in March of 1964.
Only about one eartquake a year worldwide is recorded with a magnitude of 8.0 or higher. The recent devastating quake in Haiti measured 7.0 on the Richter scale. Each 1.0 increase in magnitude represents about 10 times the degree of ground displacement, and about 32 times more total energy release. There are no reports yet about the number of total fatalaties that can be expected, but there have already been more than 222,000 deaths due to earthquakes this calendar year.
All the major news media is covering this story. But don’t forget that for up to the minute news and reports from the ground, you can also check out the hashtag Chile (#chile) on Twitter.
Stay alert and be safe.
I’ve been watching msnbc’s continual coverage. Hubby sent me the link to a news station in Hawaii:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=176904&nav=menu55_1_1
Good information, there. One of the things they have said that never would have crossed my mind is to set refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting so if and when the power goes off the food will be preserved longer.
We are about two miles from the southern part of Puget Sound and on higher ground than those near the water. I think the coast of Washington and Oregon and even BC are now included. But they don’t expect it to be much more than stronger currents/tides and the like.
Scary stuff.
This quake is the 7th largest ever recorded on the Richter scale. The area where it happened is the same area where one hit in 1960 – that one was the 9.5 record breaker AKM mentioned above.
The only ‘good’ tsunami related thing is most areas expected to get tsunami waves are leaning towards have ebb (low) tides at the time of the waves arrival.
I have a friend who lives about 1/2 mile from Venice Beach’s boardwalk – he’s waiting right now to see what happens there, since it was expected that a 3.5 ft tsunami was coming to Malibu/Santa Monica area around 12:30pm PST. That’s just a few minutes from now…
My husband is out hunting in Hawaii. He called and woke me up this morning at 7:30 to let me know not to be scared about him when I heard the news about the earthquake and tsunami. It’s always something – I never get to sleep in!
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-tsunami-hawaii28-2010feb28,0,5140676.story
Hawaiian authorities were rushing to evacuate up to 100,000 residents and tourists from low-lying coastal areas Saturday morning as an estimated 3-to-8-foot tsunami raced toward the islands at the speed of a jet plane.
Radio stations were broadcasting civil defense alerts, and sirens sounded in the early-morning hours, well ahead of the expected arrival of the waves, estimated at about 11 a.m. Hawaii time, triggered by a massive earthquake in Chile.
After the 1960 quake, the subsequent tsunami toppled the great stone heads on Easter Island, about a thousand miles off the Chilean coast, not to mention causing incredible devastation in Chile itself. I think I remember reading that the same earthquake caused some major destruction out in the Aleutians, Hopefully, with modern technology and early-warning systems, the devastation will be much less. I’m keeping a good thought out there for everyone in the Pacific rim area.
My friend, Brent, just called me from soggy Venice Beach. Only thing of note was a small rise in the wave action, about 7 waves overall.
Oh, yeah…he complained about having hard rain – again. Quote from Brent: “I thought it never rained in CA”. I said, “Nope that was only a song’s hopeful chorus. Albert Hammond, circa 1972.”
Seriously, LA area folks are concerned yet again about mudslides in the LaCanada/Flintridge area (where all those fires were last year).
My ex sister-in-law is in Hawaii visiting as we speak. No bottled water to be found and Western Union has no cash . They have filled up all containers with water , including tub. An immediate neighbor is a physician and has a 4×4. They are sticking close to him.
A 6.3 was just reported in Argentina as well.
You can track earthquakes and aftershocks here:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php
Central CA just had one…12:23 PM PST. About a 2.7.
Near Coso Junction. ABout 225 miles north of LA Civic Center…
CNN is having live cameras from affiliates focusing on the southern coasts. Beaches are empty…
Make that CA one 140 miles, 225 KM, from LA’s Civic Center.
>potential damage from a breaking wave. It is expected to reach the state by noon.
Noon Pacific time, East Coast time? Alaska time? Color me confused.
While focused on all procedures your family groups maintain for ‘alerts’..such as this..remember to buy/charge/borrow..enough dog and cat food for an extended time frame..for any who are ..more in harms way. Got to keep our pets safe and fed..also the basic meds any person/animal may need..bought ahead..kept upon premises.
Tsunami warning also in effect for east coast of Australia and for NZ. Stay safe everyone!
Have called home and advised the parents to consider heading in land – they live about 5 mins from 5 different beaches. Probably best to be away from the coast for now.
Twitter reports from Hawaii say the water is receding and changing color. All sorts of folks are set up at high points to watch it come in .
Fox has a good live shot of people standing on what appears to be a cliff or bluff waiting for the first wave……
Water now receding from various places in Hawaii, including seawall. Expecting return tsunami surges to come soon.
NZ just got its waves – 15 hrs after quake.
Just saw live video of 2 idiots in the water in Hawaii. *shakes head*
austin:
figures that Fox would find some idjiots standing on a breakwater, where they would be pulled out to see.
Guess that ole S’error educazion is at work, eh?
In July 2009 there were news reports of Pres. Obama’s sister moving her family from Hawaii to Washington, DC. Have they already moved?
Someone has twittered that there is now NO water in Hilo Bay. Fish are flopping about. Reefs are showing.
First wave hit – 3 ft. Water is receding again only much faster. Whales have all disappeared from the area bays .
I don’t have cable. How’s the coverage ? The live twitter reports are excellent. Who knew that twitter would end up being such an important social resource ?
Exactly, BG. And so responsibly too – unlike some witless twattering from the Qwitcher!
BG…go to http://www.bjpenn.com/ . He’s online with CNN showing what he sees.
BJ Penn: He’s a martial arts big name BTW.
This coverage is starting to remind me of the Balloon Boy Epic…..
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100227/ap_on_re_us/quake_tsunami
Quake-triggered tsunami begins affecting Hawaii
HILO, Hawaii – Scientists have confirmed that the tsunami triggered by the earthquake in Chile has reached Hawaii.
The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but the effects of the tsunami were obvious.
Water began pulling away from shore off Hilo Bay on the Big Island just before noon (Hawaii time), exposing reefs and sending dark streaks of muddy, sandy water offshore. Water later washed over Coconut Island, a small park off the coast of Hilo.
List of biggest quakes – Chile’s recent one is tied for 7th worst all-time.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100227/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/chile_strongest_quakes_glance
PS: Alaska – you just had a 3.0 quake at Anchor Point. 12:57pm AK time.
I like that they won’t let the tourists move inland. I’m amazed they even let them move up. What’s a tourist worth anyway, when you can’t exchange them for more tourists?
Saw nothing unusual at Ocean Beach in San Francisco around 2:00 PM Pacific time, but we were only there for half an hour. The advisory was from noon to 4:30 PM. There was ample big surf just from the recent storms, breaking both close to shore and way out over the big horseshoe sandbar that lies outside the Golden Gate, and visible way up to the Marin Headlands. If there’s anything particularly unusual here I guess I’ll read about it in the news.
We drove home along one of our several signed “Tsunami Evacuation Routes.”
PepperzMom (GA) Says:
BJ Penn: He’s a martial arts big name BTW.
*****************************************************
He’s cool. My fave when I watch UFC.
So far, so good in Hawaii. Almost everyone was calm and cooperative, evacuating early. The first waves have been small, and we are hopeful that trend continues. We have several more hours to wait before the tsunami completely passes.
O lordy – there are people on Twitter complaining that there wasn’t a major horror. It’s being referred to as ” Epic Tsunami Fail ” and “The Great Pacific Yawn”. This was a GOOD thing for it to turn out well. Geeez.
Hawaii Realty is reporting 2 small islands are underwater but it doesn’t sound like anything dire. Haven’t seen it confirmed either.
66th aftershock hits Chile. 5.2. Ok – that’s just gotta stop and right now.
Thanks for the link PepperzMom. My puter is having a tough time opening it but I’ll keep trying.
Lani – Glad to hear all is well ! I’m amazed at how well everyone worked together. Nicely done!
Earthquake in Oklahoma ~
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/10/265_35.php
My daughter’s FIL lives in Hawaii. Waiting to hear from family and friends there.
Streaming video of water receding at Hilo:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=176904&nav=menu55_1_1
I’m glad it was on a weekend, instead of a day of work and school. I’m glad they got the boats out of the harbour. I’m glad the beaches were clear of swimmers and beachcombers. I’m glad the tourists can now go back to having some fun, and that their hotels didn’t get awash. I’m glad it wasn’t anything catastrophic. I’m sure the people of Hawaii were relieved there hasn’t been any major damage (non reported). Televsion reality watchers wanted to see something more exciting? We have become a world of sick voyeurs.
Benediciones a todos en Chile, and I’m glad their building codes prevented worse catastrophe (hear that, Sarah?). Everyone stay safe, and health & peace to all.
Take care all.
Nitey, nite, IrishGirl!
Question for any of you Hawaii residents (or former/current navy) -
I heard they moved a lot of the Navy and CG surface ships out to sea in preparation for the tsunami, but did they also move the submarines? My former BIL was on subs in Pearl for several years and a former fiancee was on a sub out of Bremerton so I was curious. None of the reports I watched mentioned the subs and, since they are both ‘former’, I can’t exactly call them and ask!
I would assume they would also move the subs since they would be exposed to wave damage when docked but I didn’t know. Just nosy!
Polly 37 isn’t that the truth and isn’t it the saddest thing you ever saw??
yes , they would move the subs also….they NEVER discuss/announce submarine movements….n
benlomond2 -
Thanks…that’s what I figured. It’s been so long that I’d forgotten how secretive they are about the subs.
I was several years older when I was visiting Bremerton and I don’t know if it was my age that made a difference, but the sub base there didn’t seem quite as secretive as Pearl Harbor. I even got to eat dinner on the sub in Bremerton, but never got close to the base in Hawaii. I’m not sure if there was really any difference or if it was just my perception. I assume that the base in Pearl Harbor is much bigger so that might also have something to do with the difference. Anyway, thanks for the info!
We only just got in from the field and so I am only now hearing about this. An 8.8 magnitude quake is more or less at the threshold of those that can cause damaging seismic sea waves. Another factor that I have not looked at yet is the fault solution for this quake because that determines how it will affect the overlying water. Although this was a subduction zone earthquake which would commonly involve normal faulting, I would suggest that there may have been a significant strike-slip component in as much as not much of a tsunami was generated.
So many factors are involved in these phenomena that it is impossible to predict in a short time frame what the result will be in any specific location so although this appears to have been a “false alarm” I think it was appropriate to make the warning. If nothing else it shows that the system works and gives a great deal more data for the seismologists to work with in making future predictions.
I have the sense also that as more reports come in we will learn the effect os this event were greater than initially reported in Chile. Again, local conditions can have an important effect on what occurs even between places a few miles apart.
Several comments up-thread stimulate a cautionary note to be added. There is no need by and large to take measures such as stocking up on supplies of water or food or anything for that matter unless you happen to live on a very small barrier island or something like that. Tsunamis are strictly coastal in their effects and even then only in areas that a just a few feet or meters above sea level. It is unlikely that any major infrastructure would be disrupted by the waves alone except in areas that are built up and right at the water line.
This was a lucky miss so to speak, a big but not enormous earthquake, coverage such that all of us across fully half of the planet (though mostly water) could be aware of it in real time such that we could remotely witness some of it, and thanks to the revival of a program that had been starved almost into non-existence by cynical politicians accurate and meaningful information that effectively held the loss of life outside Chile at zero. There is an irony of course, succeeding so well tends to create the erroneous impression that all future such events will be similarly innocuous. Hence apathy and future opportunities for the cynics.
I like to think of it as a rare opportunity to witness one of the mildly dramatic scenes that is the greatest show on earth – the earth itself of course.
Full Disclosure: I love earthquakes. Having experienced two that were fairly significant all I can say is there is nothing like it. I’m also trading off other people’s expertise here to some extent, I am not a siesmologist, but most geologists have a level of familiarity with the specialty that exceeds the knowledge of the general public. More’s the pity.
If you have connections to a news or emergency source that is on the ground in Chile , please pass along the following msg from Twitter:
>>> plz send help to 1712 estacion central, santiago chile. im under rubble w/ my child. <<<
It seems like a legit call for help
Better safe than sorry,right ?
Well, I ended up on the cliffs of Pismo Beach to watch my first tsunami. It started to arrive at 12:30 here. I think we were lucky to have a receding tide that had its low around 3 pm. This tide is one of the lowest of the year and I had planned to join a nature group for a walk this afternoon to a reef to “meet the critters”. Obviously I didn’t go. Not a good idea to be at sea level.
Truth be told I have several spots that I love to explore at low tide so I’m very familiar with were the waves should and shouldn’t be. NOAA was saying that Pismo was expected to get about 4 feet and my guess is that it did. Then all of a sudden around 2 the tide did pull out, alot. Within about 10 minutes it was way out although not as far as it should have been for a minus tide. It’s just lucky that it didn’t hit us earlier since our high tide was 6 feet at 9 am this morning.
What was different was how defined the waves surges were and how close together, the frequency, that they came in. I also stopped by a favorite “secret” for locals surfing spot and no one was in the water! Now that’s amazing for a Saturday afternoon. Judging from how the waves were breaking on some of the rocks I’d say they had a lot more power than usual. Even during our big storm about a month ago the big kaboom splash was not as big.
So that’s my eyewitness report. Glad that we have dodged the wave here in the US but hope for the best for the people of Chile.
#47 @ A fan from CA Says
Thank you for your boots on the ground report.
I’ve just heard about family in Hawaii and they said they heard the all clear at 8:08. I’ve also heard from West Coast friends and they are saying they are not in any danger. Good news.
Krubozumo Nyankoye – Thank you for your assessment of the dynamics of the earthquake and its resultant effects on the planet. I so enjoy your posts.
Namaste to all
Good night Irishgirl!
It’s a Warning for Hawai’i, not an Advisory. There IS a tsunami.
How large it is, is what’s in question.
Here’s the latest information at 6 pm Alaska time:
“A Tsunami Advisory is in effect which includes the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to the Oregon-California border.
A Tsunami Advisory is in effect which includes the coastal areas of Alaska from Sitka, Alaska to Attu, Alaska.
This message is for Information Only for coastal areas of Oregon and Washington from the Oregon-California border to the Washington-British Columbia border.
The Tsunami Advisory is canceled for the coastal areas from the Washington-British Columbia border to Sitka, 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.”
Products issued by the WCATWC are warning, watch, advisory, and information statement. Each has a distinct meaning relating to local emergency response. In summary:
Warning -> Inundating wave possible -> Full evacuation suggested
Watch -> Danger level not yet known -> Stay alert for more info
Advisory -> Strong currents likely -> Stay away from the shore
Information -> Minor waves at most -> No action suggested
I’m so thankful that this didn’t cause more death and devastation.
I second LiladyNY @48 – thank-you (o:
CG – I think the warning was cleared by the time you posted. People will still be cautious of aftershocks etc. I believe (hope).
So I have looked at the USGS website now at:
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2010/eq_100227_tfan/neic_tfan_cmt.html
and my original supposition appears to be at least partially correct, the principal axis of motion looks to be more or less North – South with a dip of only 11 degrees. So this would not be a big wave generator. I freely admit that such monday morning quarterbacking is rather gratuitous.
I am gratified if my interpretation of things is useful and informative to any mudflatters.
Correction, the dip recorded appears to be about 25 degrees and I misread the report – the strike is 11 degrees which is almost N-S. Sorry for that.
Whew, I guess that means god doesn’t hate us as much as we thought he did.
Krubozumo – Thank you for providing the link, most thanks for explaining it – no need to apologize for anything! It is almost 11 p.m. here and I must get some sleep. Stay safe and happy. Peace all (o:
AKPetMom, that bummed me out big time. I hope that was tongue in cheek. Nobody, including the far right owns religion be it Christianity nor God and their condemnation of others bends me out of shape. Not saying this properly but hey, I’m tired of being told I’m not a true believer because I lean to the left. I don’t want to play that game )o:
I went to Crescent City with geologists to film the tsunami. CC is famous for having the best tsunamis. Not a big one, but my first with my own eyes. Spent hours watching the water rise and fall, with currents rushing in and out of the harbor. Fascinating!
Michagander-of course I’m tongue firmly planted in cheek…it’s the way I roll.
Living on the rim of fire, I don’t appreciate cheap shots. We are aware. We plan for hurricanes and tsunamis. We understand that life is fragile on this earthly plate. What happens on this day or another day is but a wink in time. I’m sorry that we failed to give some a tv moment, but for us who live on rim of fire, this was one more event for which we plan, and for which we dread. We are thankful to return to our homes tonight.
The chilean earthquake made me think about the precious things that I have on my walls and how I should protect them as Alaska will have a big shaker sooner than later. We had a 7mag quake five or so years ago and it cost me a precious $700 ceramic bowl that was not properly hanging on a wall. So, I’m going to spend tomorrow putting extra precautions on my special things that I don’t want to get wrecked when our next shaker comes.
I guess if the whole house falls down none of it will matter, but still, in the meantime…..
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_tale_of_two_quakes Very interesting article about these last to earth quakes and how one was prepared because of building codes and one was not. I know it has been awhile since Alaska had a major earth quake but you would have thought the governor would have wanted buildings to be built so they could withstand at least some earth quakes.Where their are no codes no one knows how the buildings are built or even if they are safe.
Chile, earthquakes 1960 9.5 to 2010 8.8=50 years.
Alaska, Earthquake 1964 9.2 to ??? to now 46 years. I was in Valdez in 1964
and we are due for the next big one. Both Chile and Alaska quakes are caused
by secduction plates one moving under the other, they build up tremendous
pressures over time and when they let loose, will Chile is a good example
of what happens. How many of you are prepared for the next one here in Alaska?
A release as large as the one in Chile will do one of two things. Cause large releases along the same subduction zone, or cause smaller “adjustment” releases along the same zone, or in other regions of stress. Regardless, anyone on the ring of fire can expect large quakes at any given time. Perhaps not in our lifetimes, but certainly in a period of time spanning a few centuries.
Even the ancient fault lines such as the long forgotten Madrid Fault that caused the large quake in the early 1800′s can wake up and wreak havoc.
This earth adjusts and readjusts and will continue to do so well after we humans have outlived our domination as the animal of the highest order.
Thankfully none of this has anything to do with America, or political grievances or world power grabs for domination. Tectonic forces have their own agenda and have for at least the last 3.5 Billion years of our planets existence.
The forces displayed by our planet make some of our human agendas feel pretty small and worthless.
Just popping in from Japan.
My tv tells me, we still have tsunami risk’s, the worst hit earlier today and no real damage reported. I think we are all just glad casualties are at least less then the could have been.