samoa earthquake

A magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck the Samoan Islands Tuesday at 6:48 a.m. (1:28 p.m. ET) according to the U.S. Geological Survey, prompting warnings for islands around the epicenter. Water flowed inland about 100 yards before receding, leaving cars stuck in the mud.

Officials said that they don't believe coastal regions are likely to suffer much damage but that some beaches could see higher-than-usual tides about 9 p.m. Pacific time. Curt Kaplan of the National Weather Service in Oxnard said the seismic activity could bring waves a foot higher than normal.

Reports indicate that at least 40 people are dead. Meteorologist Mase Akapo said the deaths occurred in four different villages on the island of Tutuila and in neighboring Samoa.

The weather service issued a statement that said in part: "A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or 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."

The quake struck about 10:45 a.m. about 4,000 miles from Los Angeles, and officials in American Samoa have reported some fatalities.

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san jose earthquake

An earthquake registering 4.3 on the Richter scale rattled the San Jose, Calif., area Monday but no serious damage was reported, officials said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 10:40 a.m. PDT and was centered 16 miles east-southeast of San Jose.

David Piazza of San Jose told the San Jose Mercury News, "I just rolled across my office floor in my chair."

The quake was set off by activity on a fault that had not previously been observed, the newspaper reported. The fault runs parallel to and east of the Calaveras Fault, which is a part of the San Andreas Fault System -- a network of along California's coast.

USGS geophysicist Jack Boatwright told the Mercury News the fault had not been observed before now because it had been dormant.

Here is the USGS data on the San Jose Earthquakes today hitting the Bay Area March 30, 2009. The San Jose Earthquakes have rocked the Salinas Valley and even downtown San Jose.

At 10:40 AM Pacific Daylight Time on March 30, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 4.5 occurred 45 miles/72 Km northeast of Monterey, California. The magnitude and location are such that a tsunami WILL NOT be generated. This will be the only WCATWC message issued for this event. The location and magnitude are based on preliminary information. Further information will be issued by the United States Geological Survey or the appropriate regional seismic network.

Magnitude: 4.3 - regional moment magnitude (Mw)

Time: Monday, March 30, 2009 at 10:40:29 AM (PDT)
Distance from: Morgan Hill, CA - 18 km (11 miles) N (7 degrees)
Seven Trees, CA - 19 km (12 miles) E (91 degrees)
Alum Rock, CA - 20 km (13 miles) ESE (117 degrees)
San Jose City Hall, CA - 25 km (16 miles) ESE (104 degrees)

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