In response to a large earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale that occurred close to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia on Tuesday evening, the whole West Coast of the United States was placed under a tsunami alert.
A tsunami watch was initially issued for the West Coast immediately after the earthquake was detected at approximately 4:30 p.m. Pacific time. The National Weather Service updated the initial tsunami watch to an advisory shortly after the earthquake was announced. As far north as the border between British Columbia and Alaska, the area that is subject to the advice extends from the border between California and Mexico.
This alert was elevated to a warning for a part of the Northern California coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to officials from the National Weather Service. One more thing that they mentioned was that Humboldt County, which was predicted to see waves of one to two feet in height, is not at risk of having dry land flooded by a tsunami.
It has been reported by authorities that waves caused by a tsunami might reach along the coast of California at approximately one in the morning on Wednesday and continue to be present until ten in the morning. Until the caution has been lifted, residents and other people in the vicinity have been strongly encouraged to abstain from going to beaches, marinas, and harbors.
What are the four different levels of tsunami alert, and what do each of them mean?
In the case that huge waves make ashore in the aftermath of an earthquake, the National Weather Service has a four-tier alert system for tsunamis. These alerts are given in the event that earthquakes are followed by tsunamis.
- Tsunami warning: The most severe notice is a tsunami warning, which indicates that widespread flooding is anticipated and that powerful currents may continue to be present in the area for a number of days. It is strongly recommended that individuals seek higher ground and immediately evacuate low-lying regions, particularly those that are at or below sea level, as a precautionary measure.
- Tsunami advisory: On the second level of the tsunami alarm system is the tsunami advisory, which is also known as a tsunami advisory. It is possible for persons who are in or near huge bodies of water to be put in risk by strong currents and waves, and also, flooding could occur at beaches or harbors. Residents are cautioned to avoid getting into water and to remain vigilant for any updates that may come from officials of the local government.
- Watch for a tsunami: The third level of warning is a tsunami watch, which indicates that there is a possibility that a tsunami will occur. The people who live in the impacted area ought to be ready to take action at any moment’s notice.
- Information statement: The ultimate level of the tsunami alarm system is an information statement, which indicates that there is no threat of a tsunami resulting from an incident that occurred in the distant past. In such a circumstance, there is no need to take any action.
How to maintain your safety once a tsunami warning has been put out
People who live in coastal areas that are affected by a tsunami alert were given a range of recommendations by experts from the National Weather Service. The harbor should be evacuated and higher ground should be sought by boaters. Additionally, people should escape beaches, marinas, and harbors as soon as possible.
The following are some safety precautions for persons who live in coastal locations. It may be necessary for boaters to leave the harbor and go to a depth of at least fifty to one thousand fathoms. People on land should steer clear of harbors and marinas, and they should also stay off the beach and away from it. CAWX picture: https://picasaweb.com/wLnQZmIpp7 — Southwest Airlines Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) on July 30, 2025
What the authorities and specialists have to say about the potential for a tsunami to strike California
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, issued a statement regarding X, in which he mentioned that the Office of Emergency Services of the state was collaborating with local officials in Northern California, ranging from Cape Mendocino to the border with Oregon.
During an interview with reports on the aftermath of the earthquake, Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist who is known all over the world, stated that scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projected that waves reaching around one foot are forecast for the majority of Southern California.
“So, this is a lot of water moving, and water is heavy, and it can really push you around,” she added, alluding to models on what to expect during a major tsunami. “So, this is a water movement that is quite significant.” As a result of being tossed around by these flowing currents, the majority of the losses that we witnessed were actually suffered by boats and ships that were located in the ports and harbors. As a result, I believe that this is going to be a problem that needs to be monitored for tonight. However, it is not comparable to Indonesia or Japan in terms of the size of the waves; the ones that were projected were twenty meters or sixty-five feet in height.
