Map Of California: Areas Possibly To Be Hit By Tsunami (PHOTOS)

Much of California is currently under a tsunami warning, the most severe tsunami advisory.

While massive 23-foot waves swept over Japan soon after the quake, it took several hours for waves to hit Pacific islands. Waves have also begun crashing in Washington state.

California is expected to experience higher waves within the hour.

The images below, from NOAA show which areas are currently at risk for seeing tsunami waves, as well as the energy dispersal from the quake itself.

West coast areas currently under a tsunami warning or advisory, including California, from NOAA:

A map detailing the potential amplitude of the energy generated by the quake, from NOAA:

  

A map detailing the travel times of waves caused by the tsunami:

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A Tsunami Warning From NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions

From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Subject: Tsunami Warning and Advisory #11 issued 03/11/2011 at 7:46AM PST

The advisory and warning regions remain unchanged. New tsunami observations are inculded below.

The Tsunami Warning continues in effect for the coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion, California to the Oregon-Washington border.

The Tsunami Warning continues in effect for the coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles W of Adak) to Attu, Alaska.

The Tsunami Advisory continues in effect for the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to Point Concepcion, California.

The Tsunami Advisory continues in effect for the coastal areas of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the Oregon-Washington border to Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles W of Adak).

A Tsunami Warning means that all coastal residents in the warning area who are near the beach or in low-lying regions should move immediately inland to higher ground and away from all harbors and inlets including those sheltered directly from the sea. Those feeling the earth shake, seeing unusual wave action, or the water level rising or receding may have only a few minutes before the tsunami arrival and should move immediately. Homes and small buildings are not designed to withstand tsunami impacts. Do not stay in these structures.

All residents within the warned area should be alert for instructions broadcast from their local civil authorities. A tsunami has been recorded.

A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

At 9:46 PM Pacific Standard Time on March 10, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.9 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan . (Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.) This earthquake has generated a tsunami which could cause damage to coastal regions in a warning or advisory. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the WCATWC web site.

Measurements or reports of tsunami activity:

Location Lat. Lon. Time Amplitude
------------------------ ----- ------ ------- -----------

Shemya AK 52.7N 174.1E 1130UTC 05.1FT/01.56M
Adak AK 51.9N 176.6W 1443UTC 03.4FT/01.04M
Midway Is. USA 28.2N 177.4W 1044UTC 05.1FT/01.55M
Wake Is. USA 19.3N 166.6E 0918UTC 01.7FT/00.52M
Dutch Harbor AK 53.9N 166.5W 1414UTC 01.7FT/00.51M
Naha Japan 26.2N 127.7E 1022UTC 01.6FT/00.49M
Nikolski AK 52.9N 168.9W 1341UTC 01.9FT/00.58M
French Frigate Shoals 23.5N 166.2W 1334UTC 01.8FT/00.56M
St Paul Is. AK 57.1N 170.3W 1225UTC 02.0FT/00.61M
Sand Point AK 55.3N 160.5W 1459UTC 01.2FT/00.38M
Nawiliwili Kauai HI 22.0N 159.4W 1344UTC 02.5FT/00.76M
Barbers Point HI 21.5N 158.0W 1312UTC 02.3FT/00.70M
Honolulu Oahu HI 21.3N 157.9W 1316UTC 02.3FT/00.71M
Kahului Maui HI 20.9N 156.5W 1331UTC 05.7FT/01.74M
Hilo HI 19.7N 155.1W 1413UTC 04.6FT/01.41M
King Cove AK 55.1N 162.3W 1512UTC 02.1FT/00.64M
Langara Point BC 54.2N 133.1W 1403UTC 00.8FT/00.23M

Time - Time of measurement.
Amp. - Tsunami amplitudes are measured relative to normal sea level. It is NOT crest-to-trough wave height. Values are given in both meters (M) and feet (FT).

TSUNAMI AMPLITUDES ARE EXPECTED TO PEAK TWO TO THREE HOURS AFTER INITIAL ARRIVAL ALONG THE NORTH AMERICAN COAST. FORECAST TSUNAMI AMPLITUDES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WCATWC WEB SITE WCATWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV. THE TSUNAMI HAS NOW STARTED IMPACT ALONG THE BRITISH COLUMBIA... WASHINGTON AND OREGON COAST. THE TSUNAMI IS JUST STARTING TO BE RECORDED ON GAGES IN THOSE STATES AND PROVINCES.
Tsunamis can be dangerous waves that are not survivable. Wave heights are amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to forecast. Tsunamis often appear as a strong surge and may be preceded by a receding water level. Mariners in water deeper than 600 feet should not be affected by a tsunami. Wave heights will increase rapidly as water shallows. Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves which can be dangerous for several hours after the initial wave arrival. DO NOT return to evacuated areas until an all clear is given by local civil authorities.

Pacific coastal regions outside California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska should refer to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center messages for information on the event.

This message will be updated in 60 minutes or sooner if the situation warrants. The tsunami message will remain in effect until further notice. For further information stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, your local TV or radio stations, or see the WCATWC web site.