Amagnitude 8.8 earthquakethat struck off of the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami alerts across Alaska, Hawaii the west coast of the contiguous United States on June 29. Warnings, advisories and watcheswere issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center in the wake of the quake that struck around 7:24 p.m. ET, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Officials warned of the threat posed by a potential tsunami. Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, said "this is a significant, real event." "The imminent threat is for Alaska and areas near the quake," Wolcott added, noting that the warning Center needed additional observation before speaking on the threat to the west coast. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency echoed the warning in a statement announcing an investigation into the potential threat to the state. "Based on all available data, a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter," the agency said. Here's where tsunami alerts have been issued in the United States. The National Tsunami Warning Center issued advisories and warnings along Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands. Tsunami activity was possible at Shemya Island starting at 4:46 p.m. Alaskan Daylight Time, at 5:46 p.m at Adak Island and then at 7:06 p.m. at Saint Paul Island, about 760 miles west of Anchorage. Officials urge residents to move out of the water and away from beaches, marines, harbors and inlets. The Hawaiian Islands are under a statewide tsunami warning Tuesday evening, July 29. "HAWAIʻI IS IN A TSUNAMI WARNING WITH FIRST WAVE IMPACT AT 7:10 PM HST," Hawaii EMA said in an X post. "The All Hazards Sirens will sound at 5:10 PM HST." "URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVE AND PROPERTY, HOURLY UPDATES WILL BE POSTED,"Hawaii Emergency Management Agency wrote on X. The center also issued atsunami advisory for the entire West Coast, including coastal areas of Washington state, Oregon, California as well as southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. "Areas in the advisory should not expect widespread inundation," the NWS said Tuesday night, July 29. Potential tsunami waves could reach Kodiak, Alaska from 8:20 p.m. Alaskan Daylight Time while far southward tsunami activity could start at La Jolla, California by 1:15 a.m. local time. In San Diego, the weather service advised the area should not expect widespread inundation but advised people in coastal areas under the advisory to stay off the beach and out of harbors and marinas. "Dangerous and powerful currents are still expected within the ocean and along the coast," said Dial Hoang, a weather service meteorologist in San Francisco. "In 2011, a man near Crescent City died after he was swept out to sea while trying to photograph the tsunami coming in." His colleague, meteorologist Brayden Murdock said the tsunami will arrive as the nightly high tide is building, which could amplify the effect. A tsunami alert was also issued for the Pacific Islands as USGS experts said there was a threat to the Northern Mariana islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. The National Weather Service said tsunami messages are issued by the tsunami warning centers to alert local authorities and the public of a possible tsunami. There are four levels of tsunami alerts, according to the weather service: Tsunami Warning: "Take Action—Danger! A tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours or days after initial arrival." Tsunami Advisory: "Take Action—A tsunami with potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is expected or occurring. There may be flooding of beach and harbor areas." Tsunami Watch: "Be Prepared—A distant earthquake has occurred. A tsunami is possible." Tsunami Information Statement: "Relax—An earthquake has occurred, but there is no threat or it was very far away and the threat has not been determined. In most cases, there is no threat of a destructive tsunami." This story has been updated to reflect latest conditions. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Where are US tsunami warnings, watches issued after earthquake?
