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      Why Was a Tsunami Warning Issued, and Then Canceled? A Forecaster Explains.

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      About five minutes after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California on Thursday morning, forecasters issued a tsunami warning at the highest of four levels.The warning, sent shortly before 11 a.m. Pacific Time, advised people to evacuate because of the potential for waves that could “injure or kill people and weaken or destroy buildings.” It was part of the National Tsunami Warning Center’s protocol in response to an earthquake, according to Dave Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The warning was canceled about an hour later, but Mr. Snider said it was typical for a broad alert to be issued initially before it was refined or rolled back.In the first five minutes of an earthquake, the warning center acts quickly to decide whether to issue an alert and at which level, based on the magnitude and the location “because that’s all we have” at that point, Mr. Snider said.Then, about 20 minutes after a quake strikes, the center receives more details that can inform whether a warning should remain active.The center continued monitoring data from deep ocean sensors and coastal tide stations on Thursday, watching for “any very small and local problems to develop from underwater landslides,” Mr. Snider said. After determining that no tsunami was occurring, the center canceled the warning at 11:54 a.m.The warning center takes care with its decision to issue a tsunami warning, Mr. Snider said. “That’s a big deal.” More

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      Earthquake Off Japan Coast Triggers Tsunami Advisory

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      The earthquake occurred off the coast of Torishima Island, which is uninhabited, at 8:14 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The advisory was lifted at 11 a.m.An earthquake off the coast of Japan on Tuesday morning triggered tsunami advisories for residents across several remote islands, according to the authorities.The 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Torishima Island at 8:14 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The U.S. Geological Survey said its magnitude was 5.6. The Japanese agency issued tsunami advisories for the Izu and Ogasawara islands. Waves of up to one meter, or about three feet, were expected, forecasters said. The advisory was lifted at 11 a.m.A tsunami about 1.6 feet high reached the Hachijo Island at 8:58 a.m., according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. A tsunami about four inches high was recorded at Miyake Island at 9:11 a.m., the agency said.A tsunami forecast indicating slight sea level change of less than 0.2 meters, or about eight inches, was issued for the eastern and southern islands of Japan.According to the national broadcaster NHK, residents are advised to remain vigilant and stay away from coastal areas. The Japan Coast Guard has issued warnings to ships in the area, NKH reported.Torishima is an uninhabited volcanic island about 375 miles south of Tokyo. It is part of the southern Izu Islands.The tsunami advisory followed a record amount of rain that killed six people and triggered flooding and landslides in a coastal region in Japan that is still recovering from a deadly earthquake earlier this year, according to local authorities.Yan Zhuang More

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      Earthquake Rattles Coastal Area Near Los Angeles

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      Preliminary estimates said a 4.7-magnitude temblor was centered near Malibu. The authorities were determining whether there was any significant damage.Los Angeles residents were rattled on Thursday morning by an earthquake centered near Malibu. Preliminary estimates showed it was a magnitude 4.7, according to the United States Geological Survey.Across the region, which has been shaken by several temblors in recent months, some residents still in bed were awakened by an alert on their phones. Window coverings and shelves rattled for about 15 seconds.The authorities were looking to determine whether there was any significant damage.This is a developing story. Check back for updates. More

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      Large Earthquake Rocks Northern Chile

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      There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake.A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile on Thursday. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.The quake struck 28 miles south of San Pedro Atacama at a depth of 72 miles, or 117 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey. San Pedro is a town in the Atacama desert that is a major tourist hub for northern Chile.This is a developing story. More