Tsunami Advisory in California, Dozens Dead in Samoa

The National Weather Service has issued a tsunami advisory for some coastal areas of California, including Santa Cruz County, following the 8.3 earthquake that struck American Samoa on Tuesday.

The advisory is really just a heads-up to mariners because the threat seems to be minimal. The tsunami size is being estimated in centimeters.

"It could generate some strong currents," said Dan Gudgel, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Monterey.

A tsunami with "amplitudes in the range of 20-65 centimeters (7-25 inches)" is expected to hit the coast around 9 p.m. local time, according to the NWS.

"It might be sloshing around for an hour and a half after that," Gudgel said.

Meanwhile, dozens of people are reported to have been killed in American Somoa, with some reports suggesting the death toll could be in the "hundreds."

The death toll so far is unconfirmed. An earlier report stated that 14 people had died, while officials in Somoa have so far only confirmed that there had been deaths, but declined to offer a number. Entire villages have been wiped out, however.

Related articles by Zemanta

• After 8.0 Earthquake, Tsunami Advisory in Effect for Coastal Areas (laist.com)
• Death toll from Samoa tsunami could be in the "hundreds" (inquisitr.com)
• Tsunami warning issued after 7.9 quake hits South Pacific (telegraph.co.uk)

Related Items:

National Weather Service Glossary: Including Phrases, Abbreviations And Acronyms

NOVA - Killer Quake!

Did you enjoy this article? Be sure to subscribe to our news feed. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Related Posts:

• Massive 8.3 Earthquake Near Samoa Sparks 10 Foot Tsunami
• New Zealand Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning
• Peru Earthquake: 5.9 Magnitude
• American Samoa Tsunami: Video
• Alaska Earthquake: 5.0 Rattles Anchorage