Tsunami Watch For Hawaii Cancelled at 2:19 p.m.

UPDATED @ 2:19 P.M. 10/7/09 WEDNESDAY

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the State of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency CANCELLED the Tsunami WATCH effective at 2:19 p.m.

Based on all available data there is no destructive tsunami threat to the state of Hawaii.  Therefore, the tsunami watch for Hawaii is cancelled.

The initial advisory was issued shortly after noon today following an 8.0 moment (7.8 magnitude) quake reported at 12:03 p.m.  in the Vanuatu Islands.

The Vanuatu Islands are located about 292 miles SE of the Solomon Islands and more than 1200 miles NE of Australia.

The USGS reports the depth of the quake to have been 21.7 miles.

Although the Watch is cancelled, some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours.  The estimated time such effects might begin is at 6:50 p.m. HST on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

This will be the final message issued for this event unless additional data is received.

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INFORMATION:   Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025.  NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.  The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov.

Please refer to the telephone book yellow section for preparedness information and evacuation areas. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center can be reached at www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Image Courtesy USGS