Tsunami from Russia earthquake causes no Oregon coast damage, but danger persists

Following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck close to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday Pacific Time, tsunami advisories remain in effect along the Oregon coast.

The strong earthquake and its aftermath caused sea levels to rise by 1.4 feet in Port Orford, 0.6 feet in Newport, and 0.5 feet in Astoria, but officials have not reported any damage in Oregon, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Rebecca Muessle, who spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Waves as high as four feet were recorded in Crescent City, California, which is close to the Oregon border, according to Muessle.

The tallest incoming waves in Oregon, according to Jon Liu, another National Weather Service meteorologist, were little over two feet high at Seaside, which is within the typical range for summer waves on the Oregon coast.

The waves from the deadly March 2011 tsunami, which caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage and reached heights of nearly six feet off the coasts of California and Oregon, are far larger than that.

The seeming diminutive size of this week’s waves, however, can be misleading, according to Tyler Kranz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Kranz stated that although if it doesn’t seem like much, it’s not like a typical wave. The energy of tsunami waves is higher.

A 2-foot-high tsunami wave can reach farther ashore than a typical 2-foot-high wave, which could surprise beachgoers, Kranz explained.

Liu confirmed Kranz’s caution.

He said that people who are unaware of it could be taken by surprise by tides and waves that are heavier than normal. We just advise folks to stay away from docks, jetties, and beaches.

Crime, public safety, and local news are all topics covered by breaking news reporter Tatum Todd. You can contact them at 503-221-4313 or ttodd@oregonian.com.

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