Could the Japanese tsunami reach Canadian shores?

A tsunami advisory for parts of the B.C. coast remains in effect following Japan’s devastating earthquake last night, but early indications are the waves had petered out before reaching Canada’s shores. The first waves of the tsunami were expected to reach the north tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands roughly half an hour ago, but gauges that measure water levels registered no fluctuations, Kelli Kryzanowski, B.C.’s manager of catastrophic disaster planning and recovery told CBC Radio.

Even so the province is still advising residents of the following regions to be on alert: the north coast and the Haida Gwaii Islands, the central coast including Bella Bella, Bella Coola and Shearwater and the outer west coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew. The advisory warns that strong and dangerous currents could impact harbours and isolated coastal areas.

Kryzanowski also warned B.C. residents to be on alert for the next 72 hours in case the Japanese earthquake triggers quakes here. “This is a real wake up call to remind us in British Columbia that we are on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so it’s very important for us to be prepared,” she said. “If you do feel shaking, drop, cover under a desk or sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops.” After that, immediately get to higher ground as a tsunami could rapidly follow.