SAIPAN — Hazardous ocean currents tied to a tsunami advisory could begin reaching beaches across Guam and the CNMI as early as 12:45 p.m. Monday, the CNMI Joint Information Center said, with arrival times for Saipan, Tinian and Rota villages spread across the early afternoon.
The advisory follows an earthquake off Mindanao, Philippines that struck at 9:38 a.m. ChST Monday, June 8. The JIC listed the quake at a preliminary magnitude of 8.2, updated to 7.9, in its 11:10 a.m. release. The CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in a separate Special Marine Advisory issued at 11:30 a.m., listed the preliminary magnitude as 7.8.
The JIC said there is a threat of sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could pose a hazard along beaches, in harbors and in coastal waters for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. The earliest estimated time that hazardous conditions may begin is 12:45 p.m. ChST, and a page in the release said hazardous conditions are forecast to begin around 12:40 p.m. and may persist for several hours or longer.
In the CNMI, the estimated arrival times run from early afternoon. On Rota, currents were estimated to reach Songsong at 12:54 p.m., and Aratsu Bay and Mochon Beach at 12:55 p.m. On Tinian, San Jose was estimated at 1:02 p.m., with Long Beach and Chulu Beach at 1:06 p.m. On Saipan, Magicienne Bay was estimated at 1:04 p.m., Garapan and Wing Beach at 1:05 p.m. and Obyan at 1:06 p.m. On Guam, the earliest points were Inarajan and Pago Bay at 12:45 p.m., followed by Apra Harbor at 12:47 p.m. and Pati Point at 12:50 p.m.
CNMI HSEM emphasized that actual arrival times may vary and that the first wave may not be the largest. The JIC said potential impacts include sea level fluctuations of up to 1 foot above and below normal tide levels and strong, unusual ocean currents in harbors, bays and nearshore waters.
Officials urged anyone in the ocean to exit the water immediately and those near the shoreline to move away from beaches and harbors. The JIC said the public should follow all instructions from CNMI HSEM and reminded residents that a full-scale evacuation is not in effect.
