Where are tsunami warnings and watches issued in the US?
Editor's note: Click here for the latest update on tsunami warnings and watches for Wednesday, July 30.
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off of the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami alerts across Alaska, Hawaii the west coast of the contiguous United States on July 29.
Warnings, advisories and watches were issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center in the wake of the quake that struck around 7:24 p.m. ET, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Officials warned of the threat posed by a potential tsunami. Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, said "this is a significant, real event."
"The imminent threat is for Alaska and areas near the quake," Wolcott added, noting that the warning Center needed additional observation before speaking on the threat to the west coast.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency echoed the warning in a statement announcing an investigation into the potential threat to the state: "Based on all available data, a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter.
Potential tsunami waves could reach Kodiak, Alaska from 8:20 p.m. Alaskan Daylight Time while far southward tsunami activity could start at La Jolla, California by 1:15 a.m. local time. The weather service warn people not to underestimate the threat adding that even tsunamis that peak at less than a foot can still be dangerous.
Here's where tsunami alerts have been issued in the United States.
Map of tsunami alerts
Alaska's Aleutian Islands
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued advisories and warnings along Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands.
Tsunami activity was possible at Shemya Island starting at 4:46 p.m. Alaskan Daylight Time, at 5:46 p.m at Adak Island and then at 7:06 p.m. at Saint Paul Island, about 760 miles west of Anchorage.
Officials urge residents to move out of the water and away from beaches, marines, harbors and inlets.
The maximum height of potential tsunami waves as forecasted by the National Tsunami Warning Center are:
- Adak: Between 1.2 to 2.2 feet
- Unalaska: Less than 1 foot
- Saint Paul: Less than 1 foot
- Sand Point: Less than 1 foot
- Cold Bay: Less than 1 foot
Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are under a statewide tsunami warning Tuesday evening, July 29 as damage is possible across the coastlines of all islands.
"HAWAIʻI IS IN A TSUNAMI WARNING WITH FIRST WAVE IMPACT AT 7:10 PM HST," Hawaii EMA said in an X post. "The All Hazards Sirens will sound at 5:10 PM HST."
"URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY, HOURLY UPDATES WILL BE POSTED," Hawaii Emergency Management Agency wrote on X.
Washington
The center also issued a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast, including coastal areas of Washington state, Oregon, California as well as southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
"Areas in the advisory should not expect widespread inundation," the NWS said Tuesday night, July 29.
Washington maximum height of potential tsunami waves:
- Neah Bay: Less than 1 foot
- Long Beach: Less than 1 foot
- Westport: Less than 1 foot
- Moclips: Between 0.7 to 1.3 feet
- Port Angeles: Less than 1 foot
- Port Townsend: Less than 1 foot
- Bellingham: Less than 1 foot
Oregon and California
A tsunami warning is now in effect for the coastal areas of Oregon and California
The warning extends from the Stateline border to Northern California's Cape Mendocino in Humboldt County, north of San Francisco.
In San Diego, the weather service advised the area should not expect widespread inundation but advised people in coastal areas under the advisory to stay off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.
"Dangerous and powerful currents are still expected within the ocean and along the coast," said Dial Hoang, a weather service meteorologist in San Francisco. "In 2011, a man near Crescent City died after he was swept out to sea while trying to photograph the tsunami coming in." His colleague, meteorologist Brayden Murdock said the tsunami will arrive as the nightly high tide is building, which could amplify the effect.
Oregon maximum height of potential tsunami waves:
- Port Orford: Between 1.0 to 1.8 feet
- Charleston: Less than 1 foot
- Brookings: Between 0.8 to 1.5 feet
California maximum height of potential tsunami waves:
- Fort Bragg: Between 0.8 to 1.4 feet
- Crescent City: Between 2.9 to 5.4 feet
- Monterey: Less than 1 foot
- Port San Luis: Between 2.0 to 3.8 feet
- San Francisco: Less than 1 foot
- Santa Barbara: Between 0.7 to 1.3 ft
- Los Angeles Harbor: Less than 1 foot
- Newport Beach: Less than 1 foot
- La Jolla: Less than 1 foot
- Oceanside: Less than 1 foot
Pacific Islands
A tsunami alert was also issued for the Pacific Islands as USGS experts said there was a threat to the Northern Mariana islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
What do tsunami alerts mean?
The National Weather Service said tsunami messages are issued by the tsunami warning centers to alert local authorities and the public of a possible tsunami. There are four levels of tsunami alerts, according to the weather service:
- Tsunami Warning: "Take Action—Danger! A tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours or days after initial arrival."
- Tsunami Advisory: "Take Action—A tsunami with potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is expected or occurring. There may be flooding of beach and harbor areas."
- Tsunami Watch: "Be Prepared—A distant earthquake has occurred. A tsunami is possible."
- Tsunami Information Statement: "Relax—An earthquake has occurred, but there is no threat or it was very far away and the threat has not been determined. In most cases, there is no threat of a destructive tsunami."
This story has been updated to reflect latest conditions.