PTWC Issues Warning for M7.7 Haida Gwaii, British Columbia Earthquake

The 28 October 2012 (0304 UTC) / 27 October 2012 (2004 PDT, 1704 HST) magnitude 7.7 Haida Gwaii earthquake generated small, non-destructive tsunami that were measured in Alaska, British Columbia and southward to Calfornia and in Hawaii; much smaller waves were also measured throughout the Pacific. Tsunami Warnings were issued by WC/ATWC for SE Alaska and Northern British Columbia at 2007 PDT, and downgraded to Advisories at 0049 PDT 28 October for SE Alaska and at 0247 PDT for Northern BC. Advisories were also issued for Southern BC through Northern California.

A Tsunami Warning was issued by PTWC for Hawaii at 1909 HST 27 October, and downgraded to an Advisory at 0101 HST 28 October. Waves up to 5 ft were observed on Maui and the Hawaii Island, but little damage was reported statewide. One person died on Oahu during the tsunami warning when a speeding vehicle rammed into parked cars that were waiting for the closed coastal road to reopen.

Captions: Left: PTWC RIFT model simulation showing the predicted maximum off-shore tsunami wave amplitudes from the 0304 UTC 28 October 2012 earthquake. Courtesy PTWC. Right top: A 80 cm amplitude tsunami was recorded at Kahului, Maui. Courtesy of WC/ATWC. Right bottom: A 58 cm amplitude tsunami was recorded at Kawaihae, Hawaii. Courtesy of WC/ATWC.

Left: Canada sea level records. Courtesy of Sasha Rabinovich, Denny Sinnott, Canadian Hydrographic Service. Right: Canada sea level stations. Courtesy of Sasha Rabinovich, Denny Sinnott, Canadian Hydrographic Service.

For more technical information, visit this tsunami's event page (click here).