Tsunami warning cancelled in Alaska

November 15th, 2006

Juneau, Alaska - A massive earthquake in Japan had officials at the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issuing a Tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Alaska this morning.

A massive earthquake in Japan had officials at the West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issuing a Tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Alaska and Japan this morning.

Japanese authorities told the country's Pacific coast residents to flee to higher ground after a powerful 8.1 earthquake hit 240 miles east of the Etorofu islands north of Japan.

Five small tsunamis eventually hit northern Japan, estimated at no larger than 16 inches. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said a 7.8-inch wave hit Shemya Island and a 3-inch wave hit Amchitka Island in the Aleutian chain of Alaska.

The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issed this release: (A damaging tsunami is not expected along the coasts of the U.S. west coast states, Alaska, and British Columbia. However, some of these areas may experience small sea level changes. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami impact, the all clear determinations must be made by local authorities.

At 3:14 AM Pacific Standard Time on November 15, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.1 occurred near the Kuril Islands, Russia.

This will be the last West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center message issued for this event unless conditions warrant otherwise.

To repeat, NO tsunami watch or warning is in effect for the U.S. West coast states, Alaska, and British Columbia. See the WCATWC web site for basic tsunami information, safety rules, and a tsunami travel time map and table.)