Tsunami watch canceled for Hawaii after 8.1-magnitude earthquake in southwestern Pacific
COURTESY NOAA
A tsunami watch has been issued for Hawaii. This map shows the tsunami evacuation zones, which should be considered the minimum safe evacuation distance, according to NOAA.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
A preliminary magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck off the Kermadec Islands this morning in New Zealand and prompted a tsunami watch for Hawaii.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
A preliminary magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Kermadec Islands in New Zealand but does not pose a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said effective 12:20 p.m. the tsunami watch has been canceled.
10:30 a.m.
The tsunami watch for Hawaii remains in effect, with the magnitude of the earthquake upgraded to 8.1.
9:40 a.m.
A preliminary magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region this morning and has prompted a tsunami watch for the state of Hawaii.
The latest temblor struck at 9:28 a.m. Hawaii time, 574 miles south of Ohonua, Eua, Tonga, at a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A watch means a tsunami may impact Hawaii, but the threat and potential effects are still being evaluated by the PTWC.
”Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. “An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii. If tsunami waves impact Hawaii the estimated earliest arrival of the first tsunami wave is 4:35 p.m.”
An earlier magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the same region did not pose a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
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A preliminary magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Kermadec Islands in New Zealand but does not pose a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
The quake struck at 7:41 a.m. Hawaii time and was centered 601 miles south-southwest of Ohonua, Eua, Tonga, at a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Based on all available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii,” The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin.
No serious injuries were immediately reported.
Check back for updates on this breaking news story.
