Public Tsunami Message Number 24
NWS West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center Palmer AK
1002 PM PST SAT FEB 27 2010
....A tsunami advisory is in effect which includes the Coastal areas of Alaska from Sand Point Alaska to Attu Alaska...

....This message is information only for Coastal areas of California-Oregon-Washington- British Columbia and Alaska from the California-Mexico border to Sand Point 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 ------------------------ ----- ------ ------- ----------- ADAK AK 51.9N 176.6W 0440UTC 0.38M/1.2FT ALITAK AK 56.8N 154.3W 0516UTC 0.24M/0.8FT DUTCH HARBOR AK 53.9N 166.5W 0313UTC 0.21M/0.7FT KING COVE AK 55.1N 162.3W 0230UTC 0.62M/2.0FT KODIAK AK 57.7N 152.5W 0221UTC 0.44M/1.4FT SAND POINT AK 55.3N 160.5W 0409UTC 0.40M/1.3FT SEWARD AK 60.1N 149.4W 0143UTC 0.38M/1.3FT SHEMYA AK 52.7N 174.1E 0519UTC 0.27M/0.9FT SITKA AK 57.1N 135.3W 0223UTC 0.21M/0.7FT ATKA AK 52.1N 174.4W 0417UTC 0.40M/1.3FT THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR ALASKAN PACIFIC COASTS INCLUDING SAND POINT AND AREAS WEST TO ATTU. 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.