SAN FRANCISCO – One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded has hit off Russia’s sparsely populated Far East, sending tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast.
RELATED: California hit with tsunami waves after massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake
Several people in Russia were injured, but none gravely, and no major damage has been reported so far. Authorities warned the risk from Wednesday’s 8.8 magnitude quake could last for hours. Millions of people potentially in the path of the waves were initially told to move away from the shore or seek high ground. But the danger already appeared to be lessening, with Hawaii and parts of Japan downgrading their warnings.
The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Advisory for the California Coast, including coastal areas spanning from Mendocino to Monterey counties. Previously on Tuesday the Center had issued a Tsunami Watch. An advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or dangerous waves is expected or already occurring.
Tsunami waves reached the San Francisco coast early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Despite the strong current and dangerous waves, they are only expected to increase by about one-to-two feet in the region.
State officials continue to urge the public to stay off beaches and coastal areas until the advisory is lifted.
Tsunami waves arrive at San Francisco coast
Tsunami waves reached the San Francisco coast early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, as California coastal communities continue to monitor rising wave activity following a massive offshore earthquake off Russia.
The initial tsunami activity in San Francisco was detected at 1:12 a.m., the NWS said on social media posts.
The Northern California tsunami activity began in Crescent City and Humboldt Bay around 12:45 a.m. Tsunami waves then reached Monterey at 12:50 a.m.
Forecasters warn that waves will likely build through the night and become more dangerous near high tide. No major damage has been reported, as of 1:30 a.m.
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a Tsunami Advisory on Tuesday evening after a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The advisory covers coastal areas from Mendocino County to Monterey County.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has deployed rescue teams to Del Norte and San Luis Obispo counties.
