Oct 19, 2020 – 3:45PM Update: Alaska Earthquake – Tsunami Threat Passed

UPDATE 3:45PM – No Threat of Tsunami south of Alaska

The message from the Tsunami Warning Centre is out.


  * For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, there is no tsunami threat.

UPDATE 3:15PM – No Warning for Port Alberni

A 3rd message has been issued by the Tsunami Warning Centre.

No Change in Status. No Warning issued for West Coast North America.

There is a 3.5 hour travel time between the location of the earthquake near the Aleutian Islands, and its potential arrival on Vancouver Island.

Closer to the earthquake in Sand Point Alaska, they have heard their sirens. Let’s all hope for a small or non-existent tsunami from this earthquake, and that everyone is safe!

According to the latest update, Sand Point Alaska should have begun to see a Tsunami by about 1:55PM AKDT (2:55PM PDT). So we should know very soon if a Tsunami was generated.

Port Alberni Tsunami Evac information:

Here is some information in case a warning is issued:

“Safe elevation areas” (more than 20 metres above sea level in brown in below image).

Local landmark safe places:

  • Johnston Road -> Above Tracks
  • Top of Watty’s Hill
  • Falls Rd at Lugrin
  • Golden St. above Nelson
  • Roger Street -> Above Tracks
  • Redford Street -> Above 6th Avenue
  • Argyle Street -> Above 2nd Avenue
  • Kitsuksis -> Above Short Street.
tsunami

If you are already above 20m Tsunami zone. Stay where you are.

Previous Updates below:

UPDATE 2:45PM – No Warning yet for Port Alberni

I will update as well. An Earthquake has occurred in Alaska.

A Tsunami warning is in effect for the local area around Alaska. No word currently on the West Coast of Canada.

Check the comments from Tsunami Researcher Ryan Reynolds (no, not that Ryan Reynolds) on the 3.5hr travel time for a tsunami generated by an Alaskan quake.

Watch the West Coast and Alaska website.

The first advisory announcing a tsunami warning for Alaska had this to say for the rest of the West Coast:

For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, the level of tsunami danger is being evaluated.  Further information will be provided in supplementary messages.

The area currently under warning is coloured in red in the map from the US Tsunami warning centre below:

The reason there is concern for the West coast is because, as you can see from the position of the little red square marker above, there is nothing between the epicentre of the earthquake and the West Coast of North America.

They will likely be relying on buoys, ships and other sensors near the epicentre to try to get an idea of whether a tsunami was generated.

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