Additional Coverage:
- Exact times tsunami wave predicted to slam into West Coast regions after massive 8.7 earthquake (irishstar.com)
West Coast Under Tsunami Watch After Major Earthquake in Russia
A tsunami watch has been issued for the entire West Coast of the United States following a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s western coast on Tuesday. The U.S.
Tsunami Warning Center announced the watch, indicating a potential tsunami could arrive as early as 1:15 a.m. Wednesday.
While a watch is the lowest level of the three-tiered tsunami alert system, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepared. Specific arrival times for potential waves have been projected by the National Tsunami Warning Center, ranging from 11:50 p.m.
Tuesday for Fort Bragg, California, to 1:15 a.m. Wednesday for locations in Southern California.
The earthquake’s depth was measured at 46 miles, and the potential size of the tsunami waves remains unknown.
A more serious tsunami warning is in effect for the western Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where residents in tsunami hazard zones are being told to evacuate immediately. Hawaii is also under a tsunami warning, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirming a tsunami was generated and urging residents to take “urgent action” to protect themselves.
This earthquake follows a series of tremors near Kamchatka in July, the largest measuring 7.4 magnitude. The region has a history of seismic activity, including a significant 9.0 magnitude quake in 1952 that, despite causing damage and generating 30-foot waves that reached Hawaii, remarkably resulted in no reported fatalities.