Remember how we talked about all that free-floating debris from last year's tsunami floating out in the Pacific and gradually making it onto our shores? Well, in case you doubted us, here's a report about an autographed soccer ball that actually made it back, via Alaska, to its teenage owner, whose home and belongings were all washed out to sea. more ›

From now until March 18th, St. Regis' Michelin-starred food joint Ame honors the one-year anniversary of the tsunami and earthquake in Miyagi, Japan, with a special prix fixe dinner option. Dishes inspired by the region, such as their Miyagi Oysters in Ponzu Sauce with Momiji Oroshi and Grilled Scallop on Hitomebore Risotto with Abalone) are part of a five-course menu "that celebrates the culinary sprit of Miyagi, while paying homage to the devastations suffered by its people." more ›

Nearly a year after a major earthquake and tsunami shook and doused Japan, some 25 million tons of debris that washed out to sea when the tsunami receded is headed toward the California coast. We're talking cars, boats, pieces of houses, you name it. Whatever didn't sink has been slowly making its way across the Pacific Ocean, and experts believe we'll start seeing large objects start washing up on beaches as soon as next month. more ›

Have you ever wanted to have an intimate dinner with Supervisor Jane Kim? Ride your bike alongside Supervisor David Chiu? Sup with Supervisor David Campos at Moki's? Well then, head over to to Som on Wednesday (tomorrow!) for the S.F. Board of Supervisors Fundraiser for Japan. In addition to wonks galore, there will be a presentation from the Consulate General of Japan, DJ tunes by local resident B-Haul (Tasty), lots of booze, and a silent auction. Said auction, featuring goodies offered by your Supervisors, will include the following items: more ›

A tipster let us know about this remarkable email that was sent to Digg's Kevin Rose from a friend and Apple employee in Tokyo detailing Apple's swift and ample support during the Tohoku Earthquake and subsequent 118 aftershocks on Friday. The company was not only a comfort to hundreds of stranded residents who flocked to their store in Tokyo's shopping district, but Apple was also a thriving lifeline to hundreds of its stranded employees and their families. more ›

By now most of you have seen ample footage of the tsunami that followed Friday's massive earthquake in Japan. We want you to look at one more, please. According to RussianToday: "[the footage shows] the moment the tsunami struck Japan's northeast coast. Residents of the port town of Kamaishi in Iwate prefecture watched in horror as the first huge tsunami waves hit, sweeping away cars and buildings. One group managed to scramble to safety on higher ground, where they watched as the water surged towards them." more ›

SoMa's Fourth Street Bar & Grill wants you to celebrate today's tsunami and its survivors with a (humorous?) happy hour. more ›

After an 8.9 earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami to reached the California coast, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency. "Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, saying 'conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge' there," reports the Chronicle. more ›

Berkeley photographer Steven Winter (Dr Speed) sent Berkeleyside this astounding image of the tsunami making its way to Emeryville. Excellent work. more ›

Here are some videos of this morning's tsunami action shot by people along various Bay Area coastlines ranging from Santa Cruz to San Francisco to Emeryville. (Outside of Santa Cruz and Crescent City harbors, the tsunami didn't affect Bay Area cities. Harmless, really.) more ›

Prompted by the 8.9 earthquake in Japan, tsunami waves destroyed the harbor in Crescent City. The LA Times reports: more ›

Since some of you can't follow directions - unless you're a bitchin' surfer, you're not supposed to go to Ocean Beach, you guys! - here's a livestream of Ocean Beach during today tsunami warning in progress, via Mat Honan (SFGate). more ›

ABC 7 is showing the relatively undramatic live pictures from Santa Cruz harbor of the tsunami-related surges, including a dock and a pier floating loose, and a boat loose from its moorings. Not much to see here, folks, but the newscasters are trying to emphasize that, "There are definitely a few people affected." The feed from Ocean Beach shows some decent-sized waves, saying they're reaching as high as 13 feet at the buoys. But yes, nothing major. Meanwhile, the surfers are psyched. [ABC 7] more ›

Today's massive earthquake in Japan released a tsunami wave that, among other things, closed most California beaches and the Great Highway today. As of 8:00 a.m., the Chronicle reports: "The tide began rising shortly after 7:30 a.m. along beaches in Crescent City, where the tsunami was expected to hit the hardest in California. Officials predicted that waves could reach as high as 7 feet." more ›

A harrowing 8.9 earthquake hit Japan tonight. The New York Times reports: "A tsunami hit the coast of northeast Japan on Friday in the aftermath of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake about 80 miles offshore. Television images showed waves of more than 12 feet roaring inland. CNN reported that air and land transportation was severely disrupted." more ›

After Saturday's 8.8 earthquake sparked a mild tsunami, surfers took to the Bay to catch some tasty waves under the Golden Gate Bridge. Behold. more ›

You might have heard, if you turned on a media-broadcasting appliance today, about this little temblor down in Chile. 8.8. Holy shit, right? Well, concern for the Chilean people has moved quickly to immediate concerns for Hawaiians, who are bracing for a tsunami like the one they had following a similarly huge Chilean quake in 1960. Also, right here in the Bay Area, authorities are closing beaches in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay due to choppy waves and strong currents related to the tsunami — though an actual tsunami wave isn't so likely to hit our shores as it will be across the Pacific. After the jump, a live feed from a CBS affiliate in Hawaii. more ›

After yesterday's 8.0-magnitude earthquake created a tsunami around the Samoa islands, a tsunami advisory threatened the Pacific Coast. That threat, according to reports, has been lifted. A very slight tsunami lift was measured along the coast. "The tsunami amplitude - the measurable surge above normal sea level - measured a half-foot at Monterey Bay Harbor, slightly more than one foot at Arena Cove in Mendocino County, and about one foot in San Francisco." more ›

Apart from a few new sand dunes, the CA coast remained unscathed by yesterday's tsunami in the Pacific. The tsunami struck the islands of Samoa and American Samoa, killing over 100 people with dozens still unaccounted for, following an 8.0 quake 120 miles away (see AP vid above). Early this morning another quake struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 13 75 people. President Obama has declared American Samoa a "major disaster," thereby rushing federal aid to the region, and the Australian government has pledged immediate help as well. 25 FEMA crew members from Oakland are on their way as of early this morning. more ›

At the risk of sounding like an alarmist -- oh hush, yous -- a tsunami warning has been issued for the California and Oregon coasts. We're not buying it. But still, check it. more ›