Updates Tsunami warning for hawaii,samoa earthquake

Updates Tsunami warning for hawaii due to samoa earthquake

tsunami warning has been issued for American Samoa after a massive earthquake hit 120 miles southwest of the island this morning. Residents have been warned of a possible tsunami threat after a massive 7.9 earthquake struck in the ocean about 120 miles Southwest American Samoa. The earthquake is 10 times the size of the earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1989.

The tsunami warning was issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for Tonga, Niue, Kermadec Islands, American Samoa, Samoa and Fiji.

“An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours. Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to this possibility,”

the Center said.

Updates Tsunami warning for hawaii,samoa earthquake

CNN just reported that a 10 foot wave hit did hit the nearby islands, and that tsunami is expected to hit Hawaii in several hours, at a much reduced speed.

The center downgraded the Hawaii watch to an advisory at 10:23 a.m., according to center director Charles McCreery.

The Islands remain under a tsunami advisory until 7 p.m., meaning unusual sea levels or currents could occur. The warning center says sea level changes of 3 to 4 feet could take place between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., McCreery said.

The quake generated a tsunami that came ashore on American Samoa.

Fili Sagapolutele, who works at the Samoa News, said water flowed inland about 100 yards in Pago Pago before receding, leaving cars stuck in mud.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.

In Hawaii, residents are being urged not to call 911 for updates. Instead, they should monitor the situation on television, radio or news Web sites, said John Cummings of the city’s Department of Emergency Management.

The tsunami watch was declared at 8:05.

The quake was located 110 miles east-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga; 125 miles south-southwest of Apia, Samoa; 435 miles north-northeast of Nukualofa, Tonga; and 1,670 miles north-northeast of Auckland, New Zealand.

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