Public Tsunami Message Number 18
NWS West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Palmer AK
354 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 ------------------------ ----- ------ ------- ----------- CHARLESTON OR 43.3N 124.3W 2206UTC 0.12M/0.4FT SANTA MONICA CA 34.0N 118.5W 2022UTC 0.71M/2.3FT PORT ORFORD OR 42.7N 124.5W 2140UTC 0.27M/0.9FT SAN DIEGO CA 32.7N 117.2W 2052UTC 0.33M/1.1FT SANTA BARBARA CA 34.4N 119.7W 2252UTC 0.72M/2.3FT POINT REYES CA 38.0N 123.0W 2235UTC 0.26M/0.8FT LA PUSH WA 47.5N 124.4W 2254UTC 0.11M/0.4FT NORTH SPIT CA 40.8N 124.2W 2214UTC 0.23M/0.7FT MONTEREY HARBOR CA 36.6N 121.9W 2226UTC 0.28M/0.9FT ARENA COVE CA 38.9N 123.7W 2304UTC 0.36M/1.2FT THE TSUNAMI CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE U.S. CALIFORNIA COAST AND IS STILL AT DANGEROUS LEVEL AT A FEW SITES SUCH AS SANTA BARBARA. NON-DAMAGING TSUNAMIS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED ALONG THE OREGON, WASHINGTON, AND BRITISH COLUMBIA COASTS - THOUGH WAVE HEIGHTS ARE STILL RISING. THE TSUNAMI FRONT IS NOW APPROACHING SOUTHEAST ALASKA AND WILL BE RECORDED IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALASKA IN APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR. 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.