TSUNAMI ADVISORY CANCELLED FOR HAWAII

TSUNAMI ADVISORY CANCELLED FOR HAWAII: updated: 10:15 a.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Tsunami Advisory has ended for the state of Hawaii effective at 10:09 a.m. The advisory was initially issued following a large earthquake off of the Tonga Islands this morning. The quake was measured at a magnitude of between 7.7 and 7.9 at around 8:18 a.m. Again, the Tsunami Advisory for Hawaii and the Tsunami Warning for the Tonga Region has been cancelled. The agency says some coastal areas in the state could still experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents beginning at 2:36 this afternoon and lasting for several hours. This will be the final message issued for this event, unless additional data is received. Again, the Tsunami Advisory for the state of Hawaii has ended.

UPDATED: 9:33 A.M. Tuesday March 19, 2009

Hawaii is under a Tsunami Advisory—this is because of a large quake that occurred off of the Tonga Islands at around 8:18 this morning. The quake was between 7.7 and 7.9 in magnitude. Based on all available data, there is no destructive Tsunami threat to Hawaii, however, some coastal areas in the state 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 2:36 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a non-expanding Regional Tsunami Warning for a part of the Pacific near the earthquake. Again, Hawaii is under a Tsunami Advisory, however based on all available data, there is no destructive Tsunami threat to the state. Because of conditions, the public should exercise caution and stay away from the water and shore break. We will keep you update with information as it becomes available. The advisory remains in effect as of 9:33 HST.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)