Public Tsunami Message Number 16
NWS West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Palmer AK
147 PM PST SAT FEB 27 2010
....A tsunami advisory is in effect which includes the Coastal areas of California-Oregon-Washington- British Columbia and Alaska from the California-Mexico Border to Attu 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 imminent or 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.

At 1034 PM Pacific Standard Time on February 26, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.8 occurred near the Coast of Central Chile. This earthquake has generated a tsunami which could cause damage to regions in a warning or advisory. The waves will first reach La Jolla California at 002 PM PST on February 27. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the web site wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov.

A tsunami has been observed at the following sites

LOCATION LAT LON TIME AMPL ------------------------ ----- ------ ------- ----------- SANTA MONICA CA 34.0N 118.5W 2021UTC 0.66M/2.2FT SANTA BARBARA CA 34.4N 119.7W 2029UTC 0.43M/1.4FT MONTEREY HARBOR CA 36.6N 121.9W 2031UTC 0.28M/0.9FT LOS ANGELES CA 33.7N 118.3W 2015UTC 0.41M/1.3FT LA JOLLA CA 32.9N 117.3W 2048UTC 0.34M/1.1FT ARENA COVE CA 38.9N 123.7W 2046UTC 0.35M/1.2FT SAN DIEGO CA0 32.7N 117.2W 2014UTC 0.42M/1.4FT THE TSUNAMI IS NOW IMPACTING THE U.S. CALIFORNIA COAST AND HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON SEVERAL TIDE GAGES. REPORTS INDICATE THAT NAVIGATIONAL BUOYS IN VENTURA HARBOR HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THE LARGEST OBSERVED TIDE GAGE READING WAS RECORDED IN SANTA MONICA, CA. THE TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND BE DANGEROUS FOR THE NEXT TWO TO FOUR HOURS. TIME - TIME OF MEASUREMENT AMPL - TSUNAMI AMPLITUDES ARE MEASURED RELATIVE TO NORMAL SEA LEVEL. IT IS ...NOT... CREST-TO-TROUGH WAVE HEIGHT. VALUES ARE GIVEN IN BOTH METERS(M) AND FEET(FT). 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.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach Hawaii will issue messages for Hawaii and other areas of the Pacific outside California/Oregon/Washington/British Columbia and Alaska.

This message will be updated in 60 minutes or sooner if the situation warrants. The tsunami message will remain in effect until further notice. For further information stay tuned to NOAA weather radio...your local TV or radio stations...or see the website wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov.