Latest news with #U.S.NationalTsunamiWarningCenter
Vancouver Sun
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
Tsunami advisory cancelled for B.C. coast after massive earthquake near Russia
A tsunami advisory was cancelled early Wednesday morning for B.C.'s coast after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck in Russia's Kamchatka peninsula on Tuesday afternoon. The Tsunami Advisory for all Tsunami Notification Zones in #BC has been CANCELLED. More info: . #BCTsunami The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center says B.C.'s north coast and Haida Gwaii, the central coast and northeast Vancouver Island, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca Strait were all subject to the advisory on Tuesday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Those areas had earlier been covered by a tsunami watch, but that was later upgraded to an advisory, meaning strong currents were likely. However a social post from Emergency Info B.C. posted shortly after 6:30 a.m. said the tsunami advisory for all zones in B.C. 'has been cancelled.' Emergency Info B.C. had said tsunami waves of less than 30 centimetres were expected to hit Tofino around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, but there was no immediate confirmation of their arrival that coincided with a low tide. However, at 1:20 a.m. Pacific daylight time, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration updated its tsunami bulletin to include regional observations. For British Columbia, that included an 'observed maximum tsunami height' of six centimetres at Langara Island, 27 centimetres at Winter Harbour, 21 centimetres at Tofino and nine centimetres at Bamfield. Signs alerting people about the tsunami advisory were posted at Wickaninish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, southeast of Tofino, but people continued to take in Tuesday's sunset, although the parking lot was mostly empty. Campers at the JX Surf Shop campground between Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island were glued to their phones overnight searching for the news about the tsunami. However, most appeared to be staying put for the night. People in all the affected areas are asked to stay out of the water and to not go near the water to watch currents or waves. 'Waves arrive in a series and the first may not be the biggest. Avoid beaches, harbours and marinas, where strong currents may occur,' Emergency Info B.C. said in a social media post. It also said local governments in affected areas are urged to activate their emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. An advisory posted by Environment Canada, meanwhile, said there is a 'possibility of strong localized currents.' It said no significant inundation was expected, but low-lying coastal areas and beaches may be at risk. On Tuesday evening, both the City of Vancouver and the City of White Rock issued statements that there was no tsunami threat to their municipalities. The 8.8 magnitude earthquake — one of the world's strongest — struck near Kamchatka at around 4:25 p.m. PT. It caused tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska and prompted warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south toward New Zealand. A tsunami height of three to four metres was recorded in Kamchatka and up to 30 cm above tide levels were observed in Alaska's Aleutian Islands. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 40 centimetres was detected in 16 locations as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast. Most places where tsunami waves have already washed ashore have reported no significant damage so far. Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, told the Associated Press that the impact of the tsunami could last for hours or perhaps more than a day. 'A tsunami is not just one wave,' he said. 'It's a series of powerful waves over a long period of time. Tsunamis cross the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour — as fast as a jet airplane — in deep water. But when they get close to the shore, they slow down and start to pile up. And that's where that inundation problem becomes a little bit more possible there.' 'In this case, because of the Earth basically sending out these huge ripples of water across the ocean, they're going to be moving back and forth for quite a while,' which is why some communities may feel effects longer, he said. In Honolulu, tsunami warning sirens blared on Tuesday afternoon and people were told to move to higher ground. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of 1.8 m. He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. Mexico's navy warned that tsunami waves will start reaching the northern coast in Ensenada, near California, at around 02:22 a.m. Wednesday local time, and waves could progress along the Pacific coast to Chiapas state, around 07:15 a.m. local time. New Zealand authorities warned of 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges' along all its coastlines. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the March 2011 quake off northeast Japan that measured 9.0 magnitude and caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured around the world. Russia's Tass news agency reported from the biggest city near the earthquake, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. Tass also reported power outages and mobile phone service failures in the capital of the Kamchatka region. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude were recorded. — With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press Here's a look at the different levels of tsunami-related alerts: • Tsunami warning: A flood wave is possible and a full evacuation is suggested. • Tsunami advisory: Strong currents are likely, and residents should stay away from the shore. • Tsunami watch: The danger level is not yet known, and residents should stay alert for more information. • Tsunami information statement: Only minor waves are expected and no action needs to be taken. • Tsunami cancellation: The total gauges show no wave activity and local areas are confirmed safe. (Source: Emergency Info B.C.) B.C.'s coast is divided into the following five tsunami notification zones. (Note: The tsunami advisory issued on July 29 is for Zones A, B, C and D.) • Zone A: North coast and Haida Gwaii. • Zone B: Central coast and northeast Vancouver Island coast, including Kitimat, Bella Coola and Port Hardy. • Zone C: West coast of Vancouver Island, from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew. • Zone D: Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria (including the Saanich Peninsula). • Zone E: Strait of Georgia (including the Gulf Islands), Greater Vancouver and Johnstone Strait (Source: Emergency Info B.C.) Tsunamis are waves triggered by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides. After an underwater earthquake, the sea floor rises and drops, which lifts water up and down. The energy from this pushes sea water that transfers to waves. Many people think of tsunamis as one wave. But they are typically multiple waves that rush ashore like a fast-rising tide. Some tsunamis are small and don't cause damage. Others can cause massive destruction. In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, causing waves that levelled remote villages, ports and tourist resorts along the Indian Ocean across Southeast and South Asia. (Source: The Associated Press) dcarrigg@
National Observer
30-07-2025
- Climate
- National Observer
Small tsunami expected to hit BC after massive 8.7 quake off Russia
Small tsunami waves triggered when one of the world's most powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of southeastern Russia were expected to hit parts of British Columbia's coast late Tuesday, the province's emergency information agency said. Social media posts from Emergency Info BC said waves measuring less than 30 centimetres were expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m. The waves were first expected to reach remote Langara Island at the northern tip of Haida Gwaii around 10:05 p.m. "Waves arrive in a series and the first may not be the biggest," the provincial agency said as it encouraged people in affected areas to stay away from the shoreline. The earthquake's preliminary magnitude of 8.8 would make it one of the strongest ever recorded, with reports from Russia and Japan saying a tsunami had already hit some coastal areas. Multiple aftershocks with one as strong as 6.9 in magnitude were recorded. A tsunami advisory was in effect for much of B.C.'s coast, including Greater Victoria. The affected B.C. zones included the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and northeastern Vancouver Island, including Kitimat, Bella Coola and Port Hardy, and the outer west coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew. The tsunami advisory also covered the Juan de Fuca Strait from the Jordan River area to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center had initially issued a lower-level tsunami watch, then upgraded it to an advisory that stretches from B.C.'s north coast to California's border with Mexico. The centre's website shows a tsunami advisory is the second of three warning levels used by the United States and Canada. The bulletin from Emergency Info BC said local governments in affected areas were urged to activate their emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. An advisory posted by Environment Canada, meanwhile, said there was a "possibility of strong localized currents." It said no significant inundation was expected but low-lying coastal areas and beaches may be at risk. The weather agency said people in coastal areas were advised to stay away from the shoreline and stay alert for any instructions from emergency authorities. The tsunami advisory did not include the Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait or Greater Vancouver. The quake struck just before 4:25 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, occurring about 119 kilometres east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of about 180,000 residents in Russia's Kamchatka region. If the preliminary magnitude of 8.8 is confirmed, the quake would be among the 10 most powerful recorded since 1900, and the most powerful since the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake off Japan, according to a list compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey. Russian news agencies reported damage and evacuations in areas nearest the quake's epicentre on the Kamchatka peninsula, but no serious injuries. There were reports from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky that people had run out into the street without shoes or outerwear, while cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook. Tsunami warning sirens blared in Honolulu, where people were told to move to higher ground after the quake. In Japan, the national meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning and said waves of 40 centimetres had been detected in Tokachi, on the southern coast of Hokkaido, the northernmost of the country's main islands. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Small tsunami expected to hit B.C. after massive 8.7 quake off Russia
British Columbia's emergency preparedness agency says a tsunami is expected to hit parts of Vancouver Island late Tuesday, but with waves of less than 30 centimetres, after one of the world's strongest earthquakes struck off the southeastern Russian coast. Emergency Info BC says the waves generated by the massive quake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.7 are expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m., and a tsunami advisory spans much of British Columbia's coast. The waves are expected to first reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m. The agency says "multiple waves over time" were expected on the B.C. coast, while reports from Russia and Japan say a tsunami has already hit some coastal areas. Affected B.C. zones include the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and northeastern Vancouver Island, including Kitimat, Bella Coola and Port Hardy, and the outer west coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew. The tsunami advisory also covers the Juan de Fuca Strait from the Jordan River area to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center had initially issued a lower-level tsunami watch, then upgraded it to an advisory that stretches from B.C.'s north coast south to California's border with Mexico. The bulletin from Emergency Info BC said local governments in affected areas are urged to activate their emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. The advisory posted by Environment Canada, meanwhile, said there is a "possibility of strong localized currents." It said no significant inundation was expected, but low-lying coastal areas and beaches may be at risk. The weather agency said people in coastal areas are advised to stay away from the shoreline and stay alert for any instructions from emergency authorities. The advisory does not include the Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait or Greater Vancouver. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center website shows a tsunami advisory is the second of three warning levels used by the United States and Canada. The quake struck just before 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, occurring 136 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk in Russia's Kamchatka region. If the preliminary magnitude of 8.7 is confirmed, the quake would be among the 10 most powerful recorded since 1900, and the most powerful since the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake off Japan, according to a list compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Associated Press reported that tsunami warning sirens were blaring in Honolulu, where people were told to move to higher ground after the quake. In Japan, the national meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning saying waves up to three metres high could arrive along the northeastern coast. Damage and evacuations have been reported in parts of Russia nearest the epicentre on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Russia's Tass news agency reported from the largest city near the epicentre, Petropavlovsk, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
CTV News
30-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Small tsunami expected to hit B.C. after massive 8.7 quake off Russia
A couple walk along Whiffin Spit Park following a tsunami warning in Sooke, B.C., on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito British Columbia's emergency preparedness agency says a tsunami is expected to hit parts of Vancouver Island late Tuesday, but with waves of less than 30 centimetres, after one of the world's strongest earthquakes struck off the southwestern Russian coast. Emergency Info BC says the waves generated by the massive quake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.7 are expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m., and a tsunami advisory spans much of British Columbia's coast. The waves are expected to first reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m. The agency says 'multiple waves over time' were expected on the B.C. coast, while reports from Russia and Japan say a tsunami has already hit some coastal areas. Affected B.C. zones include the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and northeastern Vancouver Island, including Kitimat, Bella Coola and Port Hardy, and the outer west coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew. The tsunami advisory also covers the Juan de Fuca Strait from the Jordan River area to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center had initially issued a lower-level tsunami watch, then upgraded it to an advisory that stretches from B.C.'s north coast south to California's border with Mexico. The bulletin from Emergency Info BC said local governments in affected areas are urged to activate their emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. The advisory posted by Environment Canada, meanwhile, said there is a 'possibility of strong localized currents.' It said no significant inundation was expected, but low-lying coastal areas and beaches may be at risk. The weather agency said people in coastal areas are advised to stay away from the shoreline and stay alert for any instructions from emergency authorities. The advisory does not include the Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait or Greater Vancouver. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center website shows a tsunami advisory is the second of three warning levels used by the United States and Canada. The quake struck just before 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, occurring 136 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk in Russia's Kamchatka region. If the preliminary magnitude of 8.7 is confirmed, the quake would be among the 10 most powerful recorded since 1900, and the most powerful since the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake off Japan, according to a list compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Associated Press reported that tsunami warning sirens were blaring in Honolulu, where people were told to move to higher ground after the quake. In Japan, the national meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning saying waves up to three metres high could arrive along the northeastern coast. Damage and evacuations have been reported in parts of Russia nearest the epicentre on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Russia's Tass news agency reported from the largest city near the epicentre, Petropavlovsk, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. — With files from The Associated Press This report by Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press, was first published July 29, 2025.
Toronto Sun
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Tsunami advisory issued for B.C. coast after massive earthquake near Russia
B.C.'s north coast and Haida Gwaii, the central coast and northeast Vancouver Island, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca Strait are all subject to the advisory A tsunami watch is in effect for B.C. Tsunami Notification Zones A, B, C and D. A tsunami advisory has been issued for most of the B.C. coast after a massive earthquake struck in Russia's Kamchatka peninsular on Tuesday afternoon. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center's most recent statement says B.C.'s north coast and Haida Gwaii, the central coast and northeast Vancouver Island, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca Strait are all subject to the advisory. Those areas had earlier been covered by a tsunami watch, but authorities know now that a series of earthquake-related waves are expected to arrive. The advisory does not include the Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait or Greater Vancouver. Waves of around one foot above the usual tidal levels are expected to arrive in Tofino at 11:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes after low tide. Waves could be higher in narrow sections of coastal waters leading to communities. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. People in all the affected areas are asked to stay out of the water and to not go near the water to watch currents or waves. 'Waves arrive in a series and the first may not be the biggest. Avoid beaches, harbours and marinas, where strong currents may occur,' a statement from Emergency Info B.C. reads. It said local governments in affected areas are urged to activate their emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean. An advisory posted by Environment Canada, meanwhile, said there is a 'possibility of strong localized currents.' It said no significant inundation was expected, but low-lying coastal areas and beaches may be at risk. On Tuesday evening, the City of Vancouver issued a statement that there was no tsunami threat to the city. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. U.S. tsunami warning map as of 6:50 PDT on Tuesday. Red indicates warning, orange indicates advisory, yellow indicates watch status. Photo by U.S. Tsunami Warning System The 8.8 magnitude earthquake — one of the world's strongest — struck near Kamchatka at around 4:25 p.m. PT. The tsunami it generated hit coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's large northern island of Hokkaido starting at around 7 p.m. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1 to 3 metres above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than 3 metres were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 cm reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido. Tsunami warning sirens blared Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tsunami warning sirens are sounding in Honolulu as residents are urged to move to higher ground following a powerful earthquake off the coast of Russia. — 🅽🅴🆁🅳🆈 (@Nerdy_Addict) July 30, 2025 Russia's Tass news agency reported from the biggest city nearby, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. Tass also reported power outages and mobile phone service failures in the capital of the Kamchatka region. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the March 2011 earthquake off northeast Japan that measured 9.0 magnitude and caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured around the world. In this image taken from a video released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, rescuers inspect a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Photo by Russian Emergency Ministry Press / AP In this image taken from a video released by Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shows the aftermath of tsunami hitting the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk at Paramushir island of Kuril Islands, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. AP dcarrigg@ — With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press Read More MLB Columnists Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Canada
