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California under tsunami advisory
Southern California is bracing for potential big waves as the entire state is under a tsunami advisory.
A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia, prompting tsunami-linked waves to reach the California coastline.
UPDATE: Tsunami Advisory lifted in Southern California
What we know:
Waves linked to the tsunami reached the California Coast a little before 1 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported. The first wave showed up in Arena Cove, an area 130 miles northwest of San Francisco.
The waves' arrival along the California Coast came as an earthquake struck the southeast area of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia at around 4:25 p.m. PST on Tuesday, July 29.
It was originally recorded as an 8.0 magnitude, then upgraded to 8.7, then 8.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Over a dozen aftershocks occurred, including a 6.9 in the same Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area, a 6.3 in Vilyuchinsk, Russia, and a 5.6 in Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia.
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8.9 earthquake hits Russia, waves sweep buildings
After an 8.9 magnitude earthquake near the Kamchatka region in Russia, waves have swept away several buildings.
Tsunami advisory in California
On Wednesday, the entire U.S. West Coast and British Columbia remained under a Tsunami Advisory.
"We are expecting very isolated low end warning level tsunami conditions for portions of coastal Port San Luis including Avila Beach. Stay away from beaches, harbors and costal roads, the NWS said late Tuesday night.
Originally, a tsunami watch was issued for the entire coast of California on July 29, but that was then upgraded to an advisory, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The tsunami advisory was in effect for coastal regions in California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
The advisory means "dangerous currents and waves are possible", according to the National Weather Service. People are advised to stay away from beaches and waterways.
The center issued a list of potential start times for tsunami activity -- if it occurs at all -- across the state, including roughly 1:05 a.m. Wednesday for Los Angeles Harbor, 1:10 a.m. for Newport Beach and 1:15 a.m. for Oceanside.
>>The latest alerts can be found here <<
"Watch areas may be upgraded to a warning or advisory status, or canceled, based on new information," according to a statement from the center.
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services stated that it is "monitoring any potential impacts to the state" from the quake and tsunami watch.
What is the difference between a tsunami warning and advisory?
According to the National Weather Service, here is what each alert means when it comes to a possible tsunami:
- Tsunami Warning: Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible
- Tsunami Advisory: Strong currents and waves dangerous to those in or very near water possible
- Tsunami Watch: Distant tsunami is possible
- Tsunami Information Statement: No threat or very distant event. Threat is also not being declared.
Waves along California coast
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center estimates California's Crescent City may see the largest tsunami waves, measuring as high as 3 to 5.7 feet. Point San Luis could see waves from 1.7 to 3.2 feet, while waves of up to about 1.5 feet are possible around Santa Barbara. The rest of the California coast is expecting minimal waves of less than a foot, the PTWC said.
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California, Hawaii under tsunami watches
California and Hawaii are both on tsunami watches after a preliminary 8.7-magnitude earthquake shook the coast of Russia.
Threats in Hawaii and Alaska
A tsunami watch that was issued for the entire state of Hawaii at 1:33 pm HST was eventually upgraded to a warning.
"Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter. An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii. If tsunami waves impact Hawaii, the estimated earliest arrival of the first tsunami wave is 0717 p.m. HST Tue 29, July 2025," an alert from Maui County read.
People in Hawaii were told to move to higher grounds as tsunami sirens started sounding. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, waves of 3 to 9 feet are possible along some coasts of Hawaii, Japan, and Guam.
Just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, the County of Hawai'i lifted its evacuation order.
Meanwhile in Alaska, a warning was issued for the Aleutian Islands and an advisory for the Samalga Pass was upgraded to a warning. Waves are expected to reach Shemya at 4:46 p.m. Alaska Daylight time, and 5:46 p.m. AKDT in Adak.
An advisory is also in effect for Guam.
Dig deeper:
A watch is issued as advance notice to areas that could potentially be impacted by a tsunami "at a later time."
Tsunamis often arrive as a series of waves or surges which could be dangerous for many hours after the first wave arrival. The first tsunami wave or surge may not be the highest in the series.
The Source: Information for this story came from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Weather Service, Tsunami Warning Center, Maui County, and FOX Weather.