No Tsunami Threat to Hawaii Following Large Kermadec Quake

By Wendy Osher

Map courtesy USGS, click image to enlarge.

There is no tsunami threat to Hawai’i following a large 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands Region shortly after 9 a.m. HST 7/6/11 (time at the epicenter was 7:03 a.m. 7/7/11, or 19:03 UTC 7/6/11).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami waring for the Kermadec Islands, Tonga and New Zealand, but cancelled the warning at 9:59 a.m. HST.

The Kermadec Islands are located 571 miles South from Nuku’aloha, Tonga; and 736 miles North East of Auckland, New Zealand.

The USGS initially recorded the quake as a 7.8 magnitude tremor, but later reports showed a downgraded magnitude to 7.6.  The quake was measured at a depth of 12.4 miles.

Again, there is no threat to Hawai’i based on historical data.

While there is no tsunami threat to Hawai’i from this morning’s earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has advised that some coastal areas in Hawai’i could experience small non-destructive sea level changes or unusual currents beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m. this afternoon and lasting for several hours. Swimmers, beach goers and boaters should exercise caution during this period.

*** Supporting information courtesy USGS and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.