Japan Quake, Magnitude 8.9, Triggers Tsunami Advisory on WA Coast

Update, 12:10 p.m.: The National Weather Service issued a Tsunami Advisory last night for Washington state's Pacific coastline. The advisory, which warns residents in low-lying coast areas to seek higher ground, was extended earlier this morning until 3 p.m. today.

The NWS issued several emergency broadcasts on local radio and TV late last night after a massive earthquake given a preliminary measurement of 8.9-magnitude by the US Geological Survey occurred off the coast of Honshu, Japan at 9:46 p.m. (all times Pacific Standard). The earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal areas of Sendai, Japan and is currently threatening coastal areas across the Pacific Ocean, including the Hawaii, the mainland U.S. and Canada.

The effects of the tsunami began affect the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon and California at around 7:30 a.m. The largest surge due to the tsunami was over eight feet at Crescent City, Calif., washing away numerous moorage and piers according to news reports. A smaller surge further south in Santa Cruz sank several boats in a harbor. Measured surges in Washington (according to NOAA) are 2.3 feet at Long Beach, 1.7 feet at La Push and 1.3 feet at Port Angeles. According to King County, a surge of 4-5 inches was also measured for Seattle along the Puget Sound.

First issued at 11 p.m. yesterday, a Tsunami Advisory continues in effect for the coastal areas of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the Oregon-Washington border to Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles W of Adak), according to the NWS. An Advisory means that "a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected," according to a NWS statement.

Meanwhile, a Tsunami Warning continues in effect for the coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion, California to the Oregon-Washington border and in Alaska from Amchitka Pass to the Aleutian Islands.

According to the NWS, "A Tsunami Warning means that all coastal residents in the warning area who are near the beach or in low-lying regions should move immediately inland to higher ground and away from all harbors and inlets including those sheltered directly from the sea." 

For more tsunami information go here.