 |
 |
Published 09/29/09
Tiny Tsunami Expected Along Oregon Coast
 |
| Bays and ports, like those in Garibaldi (pictured) and Newport, do pose more possible problems for boats. |
(Oregon Coast) - An 8.3 magnitude earthquake that caused a tsunami in Samoa has resulted in a tsunami advisory for the Oregon coast, as well as the coasts of Washington and California. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the advisory, saying a mild tsunami – up to two feet – could arrive on the coast about 10 p.m. later tonight (Tuesday).
More recent word from the NWS has indicated it should only be six to 10 inches, which translates to simply larger than normal waves – not unlike big storm surges during the winter. It is the lowest level advisory for a tsunami.
 |
| Stay off low lying beaches, like this one in Lincoln City. |
“A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected,” the NWS said in a bulletin. “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.”
The tsunami does not pose a threat to homes or structures along the shoreline, and no evacuations are planned. Officials are stressing this will result in only larger than normal waves, many of which may not be noticeable.
 |
| Seaside: the combination of a dark, nocturnal beach and people hoping to catch a glimpse poses a greater than usual danger |
Because of this, various police, sheriffs and coast guard agencies will be keeping people off the beaches. Onlookers and curiosity seekers are especially worrisome to officials, who say these people are often the hardest to handle in such situations. Since the waves are expected to begin hitting around 10 p.m., the combination of a dark, nocturnal beach and people hoping to catch a glimpse poses a greater than usual danger.
Bays and ports, like those in Garibaldi and Newport, do pose more possible problems for boats, the NWS said. Officials are urging extreme caution in those areas.
Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium, said there is a high tide happening around that time tonight, but even estimates of a three-foot wave won’t add that much to it – and that would only be momentarily.
“That would make maybe a ten-foot wave,” Chandler said. “We have ten-foot high tides in the winter all the time. That’s a normal high tide. Even a three-foot surge along the rivers is just going to be a blip.”
 |
| Rocky Creek near Depoe Bay: larger than usual waves pose dangers for rocky ledges. |
This event does not worry Chandler at all, and in fact he’s looking forward to some possible benefits. “It might take the excess sand from our [Seaside] beach,” he said. “Then we won’t have to hire a contractor to level off the sand as much. On some steeper beaches, there may be some erosion, though.”
At 10:48 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on September 29, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.0 occurred in the Samoa Islands region, the NWS said. This earthquake has generated a tsunami which could cause damage to coastal regions in a warning or advisory. The waves are expected to first reach Adak, Alaska at 7:25 p.m. AKDT on September 29. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the WCATWC web site.
Keep an eye on the tides, weather and even web cams at:
Seaside Weather
Cannon Beach
Manzanita
Nehalem Bay / Wheeler
Rockaway
Oceanside/Tillamook
Pacific City
Lincoln City
Depoe Bay Weather
Newport
Yachats
Florence
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RELATED STORIES
Unusual Travel Articles TravelParanormal.com allows you to submit your own creepy tale or debunk one - or see up-to-the-minute news headlines about travel and the paranormal.
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
News Headlines from All Over Oregon Need to scan Oregon headlines? Constantly updated news from all over Oregon: a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute display of news headlines from a variety of media.
Secrets of the Season |
CONTACT / ADVERTISE ON BEACH CONNECTION