# Queen Charlotte Island Earthquake, Tsunami Warning? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 28, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104 "2012-10-28T03:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/1 "2012-10-28T03:27:56Z")
Anybody have any information on this? ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/2 "2012-10-28T03:41:53Z")
The Pacific Tsunami waring center says: > [@](#): > > 000 > WEHW42 PHEB 280321 > TIBHWX > HIZ001\>003-005\>009-012\>014-016\>021-023\>026-280521- > > TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER 1 > NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI > 521 PM HST SAT OCT 27 2012 > > TO - CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII > > SUBJECT - TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT > > THIS STATEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NO ACTION REQUIRED. > > AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS > > ORIGIN TIME - 0504 PM HST 27 OCT 2012 > COORDINATES - 52.9 NORTH 131.9 WEST > LOCATION - QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION > MAGNITUDE - 7.1 MOMENT > > EVALUATION > > BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS > NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII. REPEAT. A > DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO > TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII. > > THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS > ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED. > > [/quote] Looks like you had a 7.7 and a 5.8. Both pretty solid quakes. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/3 "2012-10-28T03:42:20Z")
[http://earthquake-report.com/2012/10/27/major-earthquakes-list-october-28-2012/](http://earthquake-report.com/2012/10/27/major-earthquakes-list-october-28-2012/) ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/4 "2012-10-28T03:43:13Z")
[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/magnitude-77-earthquake-strikes-off-haida-gwaii/article4710930/](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/magnitude-77-earthquake-strikes-off-haida-gwaii/article4710930/) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/5 "2012-10-28T03:45:54Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Anybody have any information on this? According to the [US Geological Survey](http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/), [no tsunami is expected](http://ptwc.weather.gov/ptwc/text.php?id=pacific.TIBPAC.2012.10.28.0320). > [@](#): > > WEPA42 PHEB 280320 > TIBPAC > > TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 002 > PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS > ISSUED AT 0320Z 28 OCT 2012 > > THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC > OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS…EXCEPT ALASKA…BRITISH COLUMBIA… > WASHINGTON…OREGON AND CALIFORNIA. > > … TSUNAMI INFORMATION BULLETIN … > > THIS BULLETIN IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. > > THIS BULLETIN IS ISSUED AS ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ONLY > NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE > DECISIONS REGARDING THE OFFICIAL STATE OF ALERT IN THEIR AREA AND > ANY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN RESPONSE. > > AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS > > NOTE WITH REVISED MAGNITUDE! > > ORIGIN TIME - 0304Z 28 OCT 2012 > COORDINATES - 52.9 NORTH 131.9 WEST > DEPTH - 10 KM > LOCATION - QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION > MAGNITUDE - 7.1 > > EVALUATION > > A WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMI THREAT DOES NOT EXIST BASED ON > HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DATA. > > THE WEST COAST AND ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER WILL ISSUE > INFORMATION REGARDING ANY LOCAL TSUNAMI THREAT TO COASTS NEAR > THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. > > THIS WILL BE THE ONLY BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS > ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. > > THE WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER WILL ISSUE PRODUCTS > FOR ALASKA…BRITISH COLUMBIA…WASHINGTON…OREGON…CALIFORNIA. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/6 "2012-10-28T03:48:02Z")
The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center website seems to be overloaded with hits and I couldn’t access it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/7 "2012-10-28T03:50:33Z")
[http://earthquake-report.com/2012/10/27/major-earthquakes-list-october-28-2012/](http://earthquake-report.com/2012/10/27/major-earthquakes-list-october-28-2012/) A tsunami Warning is now in effect which includes the coastal areas of British Columbia and Alaska from the north tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Cape Decision, Alaska (85 miles SE of Sitka). - Event details: Preliminary magnitude 7.1 (Mwp) earthquake / Lat: 52.863, Lon: -131.942 at 2012-10-28T03:04:11Z Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant widespread inundation is expected, or occurring. Warnings indicate that widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival. Langara Island, British Columbia 9:16 PM GMT-07 (29 minutes from now) Sitka, Alaska 8:42 PM GMT-08 (55 minutes from now) Elfin Cove, Alaska 8:53 PM GMT-08 (1 hour, 6 minutes from now) Tofino, British Columbia 10:09 PM GMT-07 (1 hour, 22 minutes from now) Craig, Alaska 9:10 PM GMT-08 (1 hour, 23 minutes from now) Neah Bay, Washington 10:18 PM GMT-07 (1 hour, 31 minutes from now) Charleston, Oregon 10:36 PM GMT-07 (1 hour, 49 minutes from now) Seaside, Oregon 10:36 PM GMT-07 (1 hour, 49 minutes from now) Westport, Washington 10:36 PM GMT-07 (1 hour, 49 minutes from now) Yakutat, Alaska 9:40 PM GMT-08 (1 hour, 53 minutes from now) Crescent City, California 10:53 PM GMT-07 (2 hours, 6 minutes from now) Seward, Alaska 10:16 PM GMT-08 (2 hours, 29 minutes from now) Kodiak, Alaska 10:23 PM GMT-08 (2 hours, 36 minutes from now) Valdez, Alaska 10:31 PM GMT-08 (2 hours, 44 minutes from now) Cordova, Alaska 10:40 PM GMT-08 (2 hours, 53 minutes from now) Sand Point, Alaska 11:00 PM GMT-08 (3 hours, 13 minutes from now) Fort Point, New Hampshire 12:02 AM GMT-07 (3 hours, 15 minutes from now) Dutch Harbor, Alaska 11:21 PM GMT-08 (3 hours, 34 minutes from now) Santa Barbara, California 12:22 AM GMT-07 (3 hours, 35 minutes from now) Homer, Alaska 11:27 PM GMT-08 (3 hours, 40 minutes from now) San Pedro, California 12:39 AM GMT-07 (3 hours, 52 minutes from now) Cold Bay, Alaska 11:43 PM GMT-08 (3 hours, 56 minutes from now) Adak, Alaska 11:45 PM GMT-08 (3 hours, 58 minutes from now) La Jolla, California 12:51 AM GMT-07 (4 hours, 4 minutes from now) Shemya, Alaska 12:29 AM GMT-08 (4 hours, 42 minutes from now) St. Paul, Alaska 12:42 AM GMT-08 (4 hours, 55 minutes from now) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/8 "2012-10-28T03:52:27Z")
> [@Encinitas](#): > > The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center website seems to be overloaded with hits and I couldn’t access it. Is that what was going on? I wondered. I see Muffin has found a site cite saying a warning \*has \*been issued. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/9 "2012-10-28T03:55:17Z")
> [@Encinitas](#): > > The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center website seems to be overloaded with hits and I couldn’t access it. I think this was my problem, thanks everyone. I’m thinking of driving down to the beach, but I don’t think I’ll be able to notice anything. Low tide was at 6:00. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/10 "2012-10-28T04:01:12Z")
From NOAA West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center [http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/](http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/) Warning Event Details Location: 25 miles S of Sandspit, British Columbia Magnitude: 7.7, Depth: 11.81 (Mi.) Lat: 52.9 ° N Lon: 131.9 ° W Origin Time: October-27-12 11:04:10 PM Warning Event Details Location: 25 miles S of Sandspit, British Columbia Magnitude: 7.7, Depth: 11.81 (Mi.) Lat: 52.9 ° N Lon: 131.9 ° W Origin Time: October-27-12 11:04:10 PM Warning -\> Inundating waves possible -\> Full evacuation suggested ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/11 "2012-10-28T04:09:13Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I think this was my problem, thanks everyone. I’m thinking of driving down to the beach, but I don’t think I’ll be able to notice anything. Low tide was at 6:00. Do not drive down to the beach! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/12 "2012-10-28T04:15:50Z")
The information from both centers is also posted at [tsunami.gov](http://www.tsunami.gov/). ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/13 "2012-10-28T04:19:26Z")
> **[Tsunami warnings downgraded after B.C. coastal quake](https://www.ctvnews.ca/tsunami-warnings-downgraded-after-b-c-coastal-quake-1.1013815)** > > A number of tsunami warnings were downgraded to advisories late Saturday after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of British Columbia. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/14 "2012-10-28T04:26:46Z")
> [@Encinitas](#): > > Do not drive down to the beach! Thank you for your concern, We had a 17ft tidal change today. Even a 5ft wave would still be 11ft below the height of the water at noon. I’m not too worried about being swept out to sea. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/15 "2012-10-28T04:29:20Z")
Anyone feel it? I didn’t notice anything here in Vancouver but over at USGS it looks like other people felt it as far south as Washington. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/16 "2012-10-28T04:41:21Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Fort Point, New Hampshire > > 12:02 AM GMT-07 (3 hours, 15 minutes from now) How does New Hampshire get a Tsunami warning? ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/17 "2012-10-28T04:47:39Z")
I was kinda wondering about the NH one myself, lol. It may come to nothing, but the warnings are required anyway. I rode out about 20 hours worth of being on tsunami standby when I was working on a crab processor in Alaska. Basically the entire fleet, every boat out there for the season, finds an island to hide behind and keeps all engines running and all hands ready for emergency just in case. Nothing happened, but it was interesting waiting around. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/18 "2012-10-28T05:01:42Z")
There is no Fort Point on New Hampshire’s tiny bit of coastline, but there is a Fort Point NHS (national historic site) just under the golden gate bridge. I have also never heard of a Charleston Oregon or any name that resembles that. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/19 "2012-10-28T05:11:52Z")
> [@For You](#): > > There is no Fort Point on New Hampshire’s tiny bit of coastline, but there is a Fort Point NHS (national historic site) just under the golden gate bridge. I have also never heard of a Charleston Oregon or any name that resembles that. There is a [Fort Point Landmark (Lighthouse?) in New Castle NH](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Point_Light_%26_Walbach_Tower.jpg), which is right on the mouth of the Piscataqua River ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104/20 "2012-10-28T05:12:17Z")
> [@For You](#): > > There is no Fort Point on New Hampshire’s tiny bit of coastline, but there is a Fort Point NHS (national historic site) just under the golden gate bridge. I have also never heard of a Charleston Oregon or any name that resembles that. I can confirm the existence of Charleston, Oregon. I’ve been there many times (grew up on the Oregon coast). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-charlotte-island-earthquake-tsunami-warning/639104.md?page=2)