Tsunami inbound from Chile

[DevilSide]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8540742.stm

Nations around the Pacific Ocean are on full alert as a tsunami triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake in central Chile brings higher than normal waves.
Tsunami warnings have been sounded in an area affecting about a quarter of the globe.
Waves have spread from the epicentre of quake and may strike land bordering the Pacific in the next 24 hours.
Warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed some 250,000 people.
Nations affected by the Pacific "Rim of Fire" have all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami.
'Urgent action'
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there may be "widespread damage" from high waves.

A warning was issued in Hawaii for a possible tsunami
"Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this threat," it said.
Large waves are reported to have struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Three people there are missing, local media say. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way.
Parts of French Polynesia's coast were hit by waves of up to 6ft (2m) at 1630 GMT, but there was no damage immediately reported.
It has been difficult to estimate the possible wave heights of any tsunami - the waves may not arrive at all or could be as high as 10 metres above normal sea level.
In Tahiti, traffic was banned on roads less than 500m from sea, and residents on low-lying land were told to get to higher ground, but the first tsunami waves were smaller there, measuring only 36cm.
New Zealand has warned waves up to 3m could hit the main North and South Islands plus outlying islands.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the waves
Waves measuring 20cm hit the Chatham Islands, about 400 miles from the mainland, about 1905 GMT, but the Ministry of Civil Defence warned that "the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals."
American Samoa has urged residents to seek shelter, calling on coastal villagers to seek higher ground.
Sirens were sounded in Hawaii to alert residents to the tsunami threat several hours before waves were expected.
The first waves in Hawaii are expected about 1100 local time on Saturday (2100 GMT) and measure about 8ft (2.5m).
Strong currents
John Cummings, Oahu civil defence spokesman, said: "Get off the shoreline. We are closing all the beaches and telling people to drive out of the area."
Australian officials warned of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" from Sydney to Brisbane.
Japan may be hit at 0300 GMT on Sunday, the country's meteorological agency said, calling for people to be fully alert.
California has also warned its coastal cities to prepare for possible tsunami waves, the first strike possibly around San Diego.
The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu could also all be at risk.

Is Hawaii prepared for one of these? Or even LA/San Diego?

[Sierra Bravo]

Hawaii is only expecting to see about a 7 ft wall of a wave at this point.
but still ....

[Scimitar]

We just got the Civil Defence Warning here. Evacuating East coastal areas in the South Island...It's hit the Chaman's already, expectation here is 10 ft...

Let's hope preparation was...prepared...

Scimitar

[spherojon]

Originally Posted by Scimitar

We just got the Civil Defence Warning here. Evacuating East coastal areas in the South Island...It's hit the Chaman's already, expectation here is 10 ft...

Let's hope preparation was...prepared...

Scimitar

Be safe out there. I hope this quake did not add stress to the San Andreas fault. Let's hope Chile is prepared for this.

[Pete]

Been flicking back and forth between FOX and CNN.

Waiting and filling air time is hard on the talking heads.

Originally Posted by Pete

Been flicking back and forth between FOX and CNN.

Waiting and filling air time is hard on the talking heads.

Live cam on MSNBC from Diamond Head.

[BigJimCalhoun]

I was down in Chile a two weeks ago and there was a 6.2 mag in Argentina that shook us for about 20 seconds or so. That was my first earthquake. Glad I am home for this one.

[Kailua]

I grew up in Hawaii and evacuated numerous times to higher ground. Most of the time the tide goes up a bit and thats it. If you ever visit Hilo you will see the town clock that froze in time when the huge tsunami hit in the 40s'.
Whats great is seeing everyone at the store buying beer and everything for a cookout. It turns into a party for everyone.

[Tatonka316]

Just talked to my youngest son, Tim who lives near Hawaii-Kai. The party has started as he and all his friends are up in a campground up above the Manoa valley and all is well. Local reports to Tim and his friends are that the surge is still a possibility, but they may be o.k. - still waiting to see what may happen. Will post reports as I get them.

[monsterhunter]

We have a tsunami advisory along Southern California. Ventura Harbor reported they have lost several navigational buoys due to rapidly reatreating water following the initial surge. I don't think we have much to be concerned about here. The beaches themselves have been cleared, but all eyes here are fixed on Hawaii.

[Scimitar]

We're getting hits here in New Zealand, nothing to write home about, some tide receeding, fortunately it's been prettty much low tide.

...and exhale...

Ok..nothing to see here folks...you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

Scimitar

The news guys on MSNBC are saying it is pretty much over in Hawaii. They dodged a bullet. Have been watching the live cam on Diamond Head, nothing much to see. It passed almost unnoticed.

File footage from 1946 was shown at one point...scary looking stuff..

[Scimitar]

Reports that we saw 3' at Caymans and 5' at Pit Island. That was over 5+ hours ago.

Unfortunately I beleive we have seen loss of life in Samoa, people on the beach...

And of course Chile is looking bad....prayers out to the people of Chile

S

[DevilSide]

Guam is getting ready for it. This here is about 2 hours old, all beaches will be closed today.


http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100...beaches+closed

The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning until 1 p.m. today after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of central Chile yesterday.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center estimates that if a tsunami is generated, the arrival time for Guam would be 1:11 p.m. today.

The warning was issued at 8:45 p.m. yesterday, and as of 10 p.m., Guam Homeland Security confirmed it has assigned personnel to monitor the warning.

Surf heights, already hazardous from 9- to 10-foot northeast swell are predicted to increase an additional 2 to 4 feet on the northeast as a result of the tsunami, a special statement from the National Weather Service reads.

As a precaution, residents are asked to stay out of the water and move inland.

[Tatonka316]

Just spoke with Tim - he is back in his apartment about 300 meters from the ocean and all is calm - except the TRAFFIC - which may be tied up until MONDAY!!!

Thanks for all the concern and prayers!

molon labe and ALOHA!!!