Where are tsunami warnings and watches issued in the US?
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula brought tsunami waves to Hawaii and the West Coast and triggered alerts across the Pacific on July 29.
Tsunami warnings and advisories are still in effect in some areas across Hawaii, Alaska, California and Oregon, as of 10 a.m. ET July 30, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The quake struck around 7:24 p.m. ET, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Around 10:30 p.m. ET, the National Weather Service said most areas along the U.S. Pacific Coast should expect a tsunami of less than 1 foot. The weather service warned that even a tsunami of that size can generate deadly currents.
Hawaii began seeing tsunami waves after 7 p.m. local time, or 1 a.m. ET. Nearly four hours later, authorities said the state's risk was downgraded from a tsunami warning to an advisory and there were no major reports of damage.
In California, tsunami waves were recorded overnight in Crescent City and Humboldt Bay, the weather service in Eureka said on X shortly before 4 a.m. ET on July 30. The office cautioned that waves will continue to build through the night.
Here's where tsunami alerts are currently in effect in the United States.
Map of tsunami alerts
Alaska
Alaska’s Aleutian Islands from Attu Island to Samalga Pass, as well as the Pribilof Islands, are under a tsunami advisory as of 10:20 a.m. ET, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
Per the National Tsunami Warning Center's latest update, the maximum height of observed tsunami waves are:
- Adak: 2.7 feet
- Amchitka: 1.8 feet
- Atka: 1.5 feet
- Nikolski: 1.2 feet
- Saint Paul: 0.4 feet
- Sand Point: 0.3 feet
- Unalaska: 0.8 feet
California
A tsunami warning is in effect along the coast from Humboldt to the Oregon border, according to the 10:20 a.m. ET update from the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The coast from Humboldt to Rincon Point, including San Francisco Bay, are under a tsunami advisory.
Per the National Tsunami Warning Center's latest update, the maximum height of observed tsunami waves are:
- Arena Cove: 3 feet
- Crescent City: 4 feet
- Humboldt Bay: 1.2 feet
- La Jolla: 0.5 feet
- Monterey: 1.5 feet
- Point Reyes: 2.6 feet
- Port San Luis: 2.7 feet
- Richmond: 0.8 feet
- San Francisco: 1.2 feet
- Santa Monica: 0.9 feet
Hawaii
A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the state of Hawaii, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
A prior tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory around 5 a.m. ET, or 11 p.m. local time on July 29.
The state's evacuation order has been lifted, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said on X just after 7:45 a.m. ET.
Per the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's latest update, the maximum height of observed tsunami waves are:
- Hilo: 4.9 feet
- Hanalei: 3.9 feet
- Haleiwa: 4 feet
- Honolulu, Oahu: 1.1 feet
- Kahului, Maui: 5.7 feet
- Keehi: 0.6 feet
- Makapu'u: 2.3 feet
- Nawiliwili, Kauai: 0.8 feet
- Waianae: 1.2 feet
Oregon
Oregon's coast from the California border to the Washington border, including the Columbia River estuary coast, is under a tsunami advisory, according to the 10:20 a.m. ET update from the National Tsunami Warning Center.
Per the National Tsunami Warning Center's latest update, the maximum height of observed tsunami waves are:
- Charleston: 0.9 feet
- Newport: 0.6 feet
- Port Orford: 1.4 feet
Washington
As of the National Tsunami Warning Center's 10:20 a.m. ET update, Washington's outer coast from the Oregon border to Slip Point, including the Columbia River estuary coast and the Juan de Fuca Strait coast, is under a tsunami advisory.
Per the National Tsunami Warning Center's latest update, the maximum height of observed tsunami waves are:
- La Push: 1.3 feet
- Neah Bay: 0.4 feet
- Port Angeles: 0.3 feet
- Toke Point: 0.4 feet
- Westport South Bay: 0.5 feet
What do tsunami alerts mean?
Tsunami warning centers issue tsunami alerts to notify local authorities and the public of a possible tsunami, according to the National Weather Service. 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.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for Paste BN. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.