Are earthquakes happening more? What to know on earthquake frequency.
Are earthquakes happening more often with greater severity? Here is what we know now.
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off of the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami alerts across Alaska, Hawaii the west coast of the contiguous United States on June 29.
Warnings, advisories and watches were issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center in the wake of the quake that struck around 7:24 p.m. ET, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey
Officials warned of the threat posed by a potential tsunami. Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, said “this is a significant, real event.”
“The imminent threat is for Alaska and areas near the quake,” Wolcott added, noting that the warning Center needed additional observation before speaking on the threat to the west coast.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency echoed the warning in a statement announcing an investigation into the potential threat to the state.
“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,”
Here’s where tsunami alerts have been issued in the United States.
Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued advisories along Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands.
Tsunami activity is possible at Shemya Island starting at 4:46 p.m., at 5:46 p.m at Adak Island and then at 7:06 p.m. at Saint Paul Island, about 760 miles west of Anchorage.
Officials urge residents to move out of the water and away from beaches, marines, harbors and inlets.
Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are also under a statewide tsunami watch.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is currently investigating whether there is a threat to the state but warned potential tsunami waves could reach the state as soon as 7:17 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
“URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVE AND PROPERTY, HOURLY UPDATES WILL BE POSTED,” Hawaii Emergency Management Agency wrote on X.
West Coast states: Washington, Oregon and California
The center also issued a tsunami watch for the entire West Coast, including Washington state, Oregon, California as well as southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
Potential tsunami waves could reach Kodiak, Alaska from 8:20 p.m. Alaskan Daylight Time while far southward tsunami activity could start at La Jolla, California by 1:15 a.m. local time.
In San Diego, the weather service advised the area should not expect widespread inundation but advised people in coastal areas under the advisory to stay off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.Â
“Dangerous and powerful currents are still expected within the ocean and along the coast,” said Dial Hoang, a weather service meteorologist in San Francisco. “In 2011, a man near Crescent City died after he was swept out to sea while trying to photograph the tsunami coming in.” His colleague, meteorologist Brayden Murdock said the tsunami will arrive as the nightly high tide is building, which could amplify the effect.Â
Pacific Islands
A tsunami alert was also issued for the Pacific Islands as USGS experts said there was a threat to the Northern Mariana islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
