Real-time water level data improves accuracy of Kamchatka tsunami forecasts
A sign noting a tsunami hazard zone is posted on a fence in California overlooking the Pacific Ocean . Credit: NOAA Spending time at the beach is often a defining part of summer, but what happens when an extreme event like aFor coastal communities across the Pacific, this possibility became reality on July 29, 2025, when an 8.
8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The earthquake— a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of ocean water — triggering tsunami alerts across the Pacific Ocean. Real-time monitoring of water levels is critical to keeping people safe during extreme weather events, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and high tide flooding. Scientists at NOAA’sof tide gauges. The gauges are highly accurate and provide publicly available water level information 24-hours a day — for use in disaster preparedness and response, marine navigation, coastal planning, restoration efforts, and more.rely on the data for monitoring and response efforts, and specifically to update emergency managers about the continued risk to their coasts and harbor operations.In the United States, the Kamchatka tsunami was detected in Alaska, along the West Coast from Washington to California, and in Hawaii and American Samoa. As the tsunami traveled across the Pacific, the Tsunami Warning Centers used real-time data from the tide gauges to update forecasts with the best available information on wave heights and arrival times. Propagation animation of the July 29, 2025, Kamchatka tsunami across the Pacific Ocean. The animation is a NOAA research product, not an official forecast. Credit: NOAA, part of the Aleutian Islands, was the first station to record the tsunami, with a wave measurement of 2.86 feet. Water level oscillations continued at the station as additional waves passed through the area. About 45 minutes later and nearly 200 miles to the east, the tide gauge at, detected the wave. The data from the stations enabled the Tsunami Warning Centers to update their forecasts that provided the U.S. West Coast with 8 to 12 hours of lead time before the tsunami arrived., recorded the largest wave amplitude with a maximum peak-to-trough measurement of 11.44 feet. The wave caused a rapid rise in water levels, leading to a maximum water height of 4.49 feet above, which is vulnerable to tsunamis due to an underwater ridge and canyon zone that funnels wave energy towards the coastal town, and a harbor that amplifies tsunami impacts. However, the Tsunami Warning Center’s accurate and timely forecasts enabled coastal managers to issue evacuation orders hours before the wave hit, allowing the community to take action. The tide gauge recorded a peak-to-trough measurement of 7.42 feet — the largest wave measurement along the U.S. continental coast for this event. Water level data showing the tsunami wave’s impact at Crescent City, California on July 30, 2025. Credit: NOAA, located almost 5,000 miles from the Kamchatka Peninsula. The rapid rise in water levels as the tsunami met the shore, and the recorded peak-to-trough measurement of 6.25 feet, resulted in minor damage to floating piers located in Pago Pago Harbor. Floating piers in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, suffered minor damage from the tsunami. Credit: American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife ResourcesWater level data from NOAA’s tsunami-capable tide gauges are an essential part of the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. The real-time data enables the quick detection of changing water levels caused by tsunamis, thereby improving the accuracy of forecasts and allowing emergency managers and communities to make informed decisions and take life-saving measures with confidence. Paired with data from, the tide gauges provide critical information to scientists, who in turn alert and inform decision-makers to mitigate tsunami impacts on U.S. coasts.
Tides Tide Gauges Kamchatka Ocean Service Ocean Coast Chart Navigation NOAA National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Beach Oceans Seas Beaches Wave Waves Ship Ships Boat
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