Small tsunami could reach O.C. at 12:10 p.m.

February 27th, 2010, 12:58 am
by Gary Robbins, science writer-editor
Updated 10 a.m. PST, Saturday

AREA TO WATCH: Scientists say the tsunami, if it arrives, would likely be most visible at the mouth of the Santa Ana River. The tsunami would raise wave heights rather than creating monster waves. This map shows the area of Newport Beach and Huntington that could experience inundation if a big quake occurred off the Southern California coast.

The deadly 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile overnight generated a tsunami that could send small waves about 6,000 miles to Orange County shortly after noon today. The National Weather Service says that the tsunami could add 1-2 feet of height to local waves at about 12:10 p.m., and that a second tsunami wave could do the same about 15-20 minutes later. Today’s wave forecast, before the tsunami, called for 2′ to 4′ waves, with occasional sets to 6′.

The tsunami advisory issued for Southern California says, “Dangerous currents and surges are possible in harbors and bays. This threat is expected to begin around 12:02 p.m. PST today (in La Jolla). Coastal residents are advised to stay out of the water … off the beach … and away from harbors and marinas. Wave heights and currents are amplified by irregular shoreline and difficult to predict. The initial wave may not the the largest. Later waves may be larger. Mariners in water deeper than 600 feet should not be affected.â€