A Massive Magnitude 8.9 Earthquake Struck Japan at 9:46 PT on March 10, 2011! A Tsunami Watch and Advisory has been issued from West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center!!
If you live near the beach areas anywhere in the Western US, monitor your police scanner and watch CNN or MSN for latest news! Those of you in Hawaii, get to higher ground as Hawaii is expecting a 6-7 foot tsunami around 3:00AM Hawaii time! West Coast around 6:00AM!
For updates on the advisory below, go to:
+ Tsunami Watch and Advisory
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/
+ Magnitude 8.9 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0001xgp.php
-RF
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To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Subject: Tsunami Watch and Advisory #3 issued 03/10/2011 at 11:33PM PST
UPDATED MAGNITUDE TO 8.8 – Japan Region
The Tsunami Advisory continues in effect for the coastal areas of Alaska from Chignik Bay, Alaska to Attu, Alaska.
The Tsunami Watch continues in effect for the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the California-Mexico border to Chignik Bay, 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 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.
A Tsunami Watch means that all coastal residents in the watch area should prepare for possible evacuation. A tsunami watch is issued to areas which will not be immediately impacted by the tsunami. Watch areas will either be upgraded to warning or advisory status, or canceled.
At 9:46 PM Pacific Standard Time on March 10, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.8 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan . (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 Shemya, Alaska at 12:13 AM AKST on March 11. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the WCATWC web site listed below.
Measurements of reports of tsunami activity:
TSUNAMI OBSERVED ON DEEP OCEAN BUOY
UPGRADED MAGNITUDE TO 8.8
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.
Pacific coastal regions outside California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska should refer to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center messages for information on the event.
For Updates, Go To: http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/
