Is There a Tsunami Warning? What You Must Do If there is one?

Every day, earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from weak to strong shake different parts of the world. They mostly occur in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Moreover, some of them can trigger tsunami warnings near their epicenters. Is there a tsunami warning anywhere in the world?

Some earthquakes can trigger tsunami warnings because they meet the specific conditions for tsunamis to occur. Meanwhile, others may only trigger tsunami watches or advisories. No matter the alert type, people in tsunami-prone areas must know what to do when there is a tsunami alert.

Is There a Tsunami Warning?

A tsunami warning is an early emergency alert issued by authorities to warn the public about an incoming tsunami. Authorities typically send the warning via various media, such as sirens, TV broadcasts, radio broadcasts, and wireless broadcasts.

Moreover, people in the affected areas may receive the warning 10 minutes to 2 hours before the tsunami hits their coastal areas. Is there a tsunami warning recently? From early 2026 to the end of March 2026, no tsunami warnings were issued by tsunami centers, such as JMA and PTWC. 

However, local authorities in specific regions initiated local tsunami warnings due to powerful earthquakes. They did it to anticipate unwanted fatalities. Where is the tsunami warning at?

1. Recent Strong Earthquakes and Tsunami Warnings

In March 2026, two large earthquakes occurred in two different regions. The latest was a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on March 24. The earthquake epicenter was 153 km west of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 220 km.

This powerful geological hazard had sparked panic in Vava’u Island and neighboring islands. Consequently, local authorities set off the tsunami sirens. Thus, people on this island move to a safe zone.

Moreover, the Samoan authorities also issued a tsunami advisory after this hazard despite the over 600 km distance between the epicenter and Samoa. However, PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) indicated that no tsunami threat was present after this strong earthquake. 

Therefore, the Vava’u authorities lifted the tsunami warning soon after they set it off. Furthermore, Samoan authorities also canceled the tsunami advisory not long after that. Another strong earthquake occurred near Samoa on March 22. 

This geological hazard has a magnitude of 6.3 with an epicenter 156 km southwest of Si’umu, Tuamasaga, at a depth of 10 km. Moreover, Xin Hua also reported that a 6.3 earthquake occurred at 155 southwest of Lotofaga, Samoa, at a depth of 10 km on the same day.

However, the earthquakes did not trigger a tsunami warning. Moreover, there were no reports of fatalities and casualties due to these hazards.

2. Why Can Some Earthquakes Not Trigger Tsunami Warnings?

Not all earthquakes can activate tsunami warnings. This is because they don’t have the key factors to trigger tsunamis. Location is one of them. Only underwater earthquakes can cause tsunamis.

However, the depth of the epicenter must be under 70 km. Moreover, the magnitude must be over 6.5. According to experts, shallow earthquakes with this magnitude are strong enough to displace a large amount of seawater.

Considering those factors, the Tonga earthquake on March 24 did not trigger a tsunami because it was not a shallow earthquake. Moreover, the Samoa earthquake is not powerful enough to cause a tsunami.

When There is a Tsunami Warning What Must We Do?

A long time ago, tsunamis, specifically tele tsunamis/distant tsunamis, may sweep coastal areas without warning. Consequently, people who were not aware of tsunami signs would be swept away by those waves. 

Fortunately, the development of technology can reduce tsunami risk by disseminating a tsunami warning a few minutes before the waves sweep the coast. However, this strategy may only work if the people know what to do when the tsunami warning goes off.

Below are things to do when there is a tsunami alert.

• Go to a Safe Place: After receiving a tsunami warning, you must go to a safe place. This place can be a higher ground (more than 10 m above the sea surface), a higher floor, or the top of a tree.

• Recognize Tsunami Signs: Evacuating coastal areas before the tsunami warning goes off will give a higher chance to live. Thus, you must recognize tsunami signs, i.e., a strong earthquake, receded ocean water, and a loud roar. Evacuate immediately after recognizing these signs.

• What to Do When in a Boat: Those who receive tsunami warnings while in a boat must not return to port. They should navigate the boat to deeper water.

• Prepare an Emergency Kit: Before going to a safe place, don’t forget to grab an emergency kit. This kit must contain drinking water, food, important documents, medication, and some clothes. Therefore, you can survive if the wave damages drinking water facilities and food sources.

• Stay Informed: Don’t forget to bring mobile phones or battery-powered radios. They can help you stay informed during the emergency. Consequently, you will know when it is safe to go back home.

Is there a tsunami warning? International tsunami centers have not issued tsunami warnings recently. However, the Tonga authorities had just set off the tsunami warning sirens after a strong earthquake. The dissemination of tsunami warnings will be more effective if authorities employ cell broadcast technology. This technology is available on smsbroadcaster.com.