National 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 National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) 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 NTWC.  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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