Tsunami Watch Issued For California Coast

A Tsunami Watch has been issued for rhe west coast of the United States, including Washington, Oregon and California coastlines, according to the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.

The watch means that all coastal residents in the watch area should prepare for possible evacuation. A tsunami watch is issued to areas which will not be immediately impacted by the tsunami. Watch areas will either be upgraded to warning or advisory status, or canceled.

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 .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 Shemya, Alaska at 12:13 AM AKST on March 11.

In Southern California, Santa Monica could experience the wave at 8;48 a.m., Newport Beach at 8:45 a.m., Santa Barbara at 8:24 a.m., and the U.S. Mexico border at 8:54 a.m., according to the Tsunam Warning Center.

The times are estimates, and are in no way a guarantee that a tsunami will arrive.

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