Visualizing the Spread of Chile's Tsunami

After last night's 8.2-magnitude earthquake in Chile, many countries went on high alert for an incoming tsunami. But how far and wide did the waves actually spread?

The folks at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had a good estimate shortly after the shaking stopped. The center, which is part of the National Weather Service, has a model that simulates the oceanic after-effects of a major quake. By their reckoning the tsunami bulldozed deep through the Pacific to hit Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. In the next couple of hours it might even reach Japan – which has issued an advisory for a tsunami of up to 1 meter – as this simulation is projected 30 hours after the event was triggered.