Tsunami Statement Issued for U.S. & Canadian West Coast

Tsunami Threat — The potential exists for a tsunami threat around the Pacific Ocean from a massive explosive eruption that occured at a volcano in Tonga.

The National Weather Service National Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) in Palmer, Alaska has issued a Tsunami Information Statement for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California in the United States and for British Columbia in Canada. This alert is being shared in the wake of a massive explosive eruption that occured at a partially sub-marine volcano in Tonga in the South Pacific.

“The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center is analyzing the event to determine the level of danger,” the TWC advised. “Earthquakes of this size are known to generate tsunamis potentially dangerous to coasts outside the source region.” They also added, “This earthquake has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami in the source region.”

The massive volcanic blast was seen by weather satellites in space. Image: NOAA

The National Weather Service’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has already issued a Tsunami Advisory for Hawaii.

A Tsunami Advisory is now in effect throughout all coastal areas of Hawaii. Image: NWS

“Based on all available data a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii. However, sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbors and marinas,” the PTWC warned in a bulletin tonight. “The threat may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival,” they added.

The PTWC estimates the arrival of the initial wave occurred around 1:05 am local time / 6:05 am ET today.