Explained: How Oregon, Washington Dodge Tsunami Bullet After 8.2 Quake

The powerful 8.2 earthquake that hit off the coast of Chile on Monday April 1st was the world’s most powerful earthquake in two years!

That’s according the USGS database records I took time to search through so I could offer perspective on our 11pm broadcast tonight.

With a quake this large that generated at least 7 foot tsunami waves near the epicenter–why were there no tsunami warnings or watches issued for Oregon, Washington, California or Alaska?

And why did Hawaii end up with a Tsunami Advisory–and what does a tsunami advisory mean, anyway?

Here is how I answered those questions on KOIN 6’s 11pm broadcast — in about 45 seconds — the night of the quake.