(09-29) 17:42 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A tsunami advisory has been issued for tonight along the Bay Area oceanfront and the rest of coastal California because of an 8.3 earthquake that struck American Samoa.

The National Weather Service's tsunami warning center issued the advisory for the coast from the Mexican border to the Oregon-Washington border.

The center said no widespread inundation was expected for any of the areas under the advisory, but that large waves and strong currents could lead to dangerous conditions.

The center said a tsunami is possible along the San Francisco coast and nearby areas starting around 9:30 p.m. The threat will last for several hours, the center said.

People should stay out of the water and move off the beach and coastal harbors and marinas, the center said. No evacuations have been ordered.

A tsunami with a wave height between 20 centimeters and 65 centimeters above normal tide levels is likely, the center said.

"Expect the water to be a little higher than normal," said Dan Gudgel, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, adding that minor damage to the coast could be expected.

"It could generate some strong currents along the coast," he said. "But that doesn't mean it isn't dangerous."

A wave surge after a similar advisory was issued in 2006 damaged boats harbored in Santa Cruz, Gudgel said.

A tsunami that struck American Samoa shortly after today's earthquake killed at least 14 people.