Tsunami Advisory Canceled – Regular Aquarium Hours Resume

Yesterday, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, the west end of the Santa Monica Pier and surrounding beach lots were closed due to the Tsunami Advisory (canceled at 8:20am today) issued for the Southern California coast due to the 8.9 earthquake in Japan.

Tsunami Advisory Info

  • A Tsunami Advisory was in effect for the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to Point Concepcion, California.
  • A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of
    producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near
    the water is expected.
  • Significant, widespread inundation
    is not expected for areas
    under an advisory
    . Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats,
    and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the
    initial wave arrival.

Japan Earthquake Info

The Aquarium staff  worked closely with Santa Monica Harbor Patrol to monitor the situation and get up to date guidance and information.

As such the following changes were made to yeasterday’s Aquarium schedule:

  • Public hours: 12noon – 5pm today (Friday, May 11)
  • Two field trips that were scheduled for Friday were cancelled.

Note: regular Aquarium public hours resume today, Saturday, May 12.

Other tsunami-related updates during Friday, May 10, for Santa Monica:

  • Updated 12noon: Beach parking lots were reopened.
  • Updated at 4pm: While swimmers are being warned about potential
    strong currents, the police are no longer cautioning people to stay away
    from the beach or the pier.
  • Updated at 4pm: The Santa Monica Pier reopened
    Friday afternoon, with pedestrians and cars streaming down the bridge.
    The tsunami advisory is still in effect in Santa Monica, according to
    NOAA.
  • Follow general observances and updates at Santa Monica Patch.