A tsunami advisory issued for the B.C. coast in the wake of a massive earthquake off Russia was lifted shortly after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The first waves were expected just after 10 p.m. Tuesday (July 29) following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake.
Emergency Info BC had the advisory in effect for zones A, B, C and D, which includes the north coast and Haida Gwaii, the central coast, northeast Vancouver Island, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca Strait coast of B.C., according to a 5:50 p.m. Tuesday update.
The earthquake, originally measured at 8.0 magnitude and then 8.7, occurred in the Pacific Basin at a depth of 74 kilometres and about 129 kilometres southeast of Kamchatka, Russia at 4:25 p.m. As of 11 p.m., there had been more than 40 earthquakes, ranging from 4.7 to 6.9 magnitude, since the initial earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Emergency Info BC first issued the tsunami watch around 5:30 p.m. before upgrading it to an advisory.
A watch means the danger level is not yet known, but to stay alert for more information, while an advisory means strong currents are likely and people should stay away from the shore.
The first waves from the earthquake were expected to hit Langara Island 鈥� the northernmost island in Haida Gwaii 鈥� around 10:05 p.m., with waves less than a foot.
Waves in Tofino were expected around 11:30 p.m., also less than a foot. The District of Tofino closed beaches.
Parts of Alaska expected waves up to 5.6 feet, while .
Emergency Info BC reminded people to: stay out of the water, to not go to the shore to monitor waves and avoid low-lying coastal areas, harbours, marinas and beaches.
After a significant earthquake, officials evaluate all available data to determine if there is any threat to B.C., Emergency Info BC posted to X shortly after 5 p.m.
Tsunami activity is currently forecast for Shemya, Adak and Saint Paul, Alaska, although no observations of tsunami have been made in these areas at this time.
