West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, NOAA/NWS

Tsunami of 17 November 2003

A great earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.8 occurred at 0643 UTC 17 November 2003 and was located near Amchitka Island, Alaska (51.333°N, 178.641°E, 33km depth - USGS location).

The earthquake produced a tsunami that was recorded at several tide gages (operated by NOAA/National Ocean Survey, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the University of Hawaii, and the Japanese Meteorological Agency). If available, click on the site name to see a graph of the tsunami. Wave heights are maximum peak-to-trough height in cm. Arrival time is the actual tsunami arrival time in UTC on gages where it could be determined. The ETA is the estimated time of arrival computed at the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) based on the origin time and location. The Sample Interval column shows the time between samples. (NOTE: for the 0.25 minute sample, the interval may vary). Click on the Data File column to get the raw data for NOAA/NOS Alaska tide gages which have a 0.25 minute real-time output to the WC/ATWC.  Data can be saved using text mode with your browser.  Water level values are given in cm. The first sample in the file is the first sample of the day. For additional information about this tsunami see PMEL's Tsunami Research Web Page .

Tide gage site	Wave height (cm p-t)	Arrival time (UTC)	ETA (UTC)	Initial motion	Sample Interval (min)	Data File
Shemya, Alaska	52	0730    11/17	0728  11/17	rise	.25	Data starting at 0000 UTC 11-17-03
Adak, Alaska	20	0745    11/17	0744  11/17	rise	.33	Data starting at 0000 UTC 11-17-03
Sand Point, Alaska	7	0936    11/17	0936  11/17	rise	6	Data starting at 0000 UTC 11-17-03
Dutch Harbor, Alaska	6	?          11/17	0854  11/17	?	.33	Data starting at 0000 UTC 11-17-03
French Frigate Shoals	12	1100    11/17	1049  11/17		2
Kawaihae, Hawaii	12	1230    11/17	?       11/17	rise	6
Honolulu, Hawaii	7	1215   11/17	1141  11/17	rise	6
Kahului Maui, Hawaii	65	1157    11/17	1151  11/17	rise	6
Hilo, Hawaii	44	1200    11/17	1157  11/17	rise	6
Nawiliwili Kauai, Hawaii	18	1135    11/17	1123  11/17	rise	6
Charleston, Oregon	10	1300    11/17	1252	rise	6	Time format is decimal Julian date
Port Orford, Oregon	22	1300    11/17	1245  11/17	?	6	Time format is decimal Julian date
North Spit, California	10	1300    11/17	1259  11/17	?	6	Time format is decimal Julian date
Christmas Island, Kiribati	7	1430   11/17	1413  11/17	?	4
Iquique, Chile	8	0112    11/18	0034  11/18	?	2
Caldera, Chile	30	0130   11/18	0106  11/18	?	2
San Antonio, Chile	10	0135   11/18	0150  11/18	?	4
San Pedro, Chile	8	?          11/18	0323  11/18	?	2
Puerto Montt, Chile	8	0600?  11/18	0532  11/18	?	2

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