HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A tsunami warning is issued for the state of Hawaii following a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia.
Warning sirens first sounded at 3:23 p.m. In their alert message, emergency officials listed a wave arrival time of 7:10 p.m. HST in Hanalei.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the estimated arrival time of the first tsunami wave in Hawaii is 7:17 p.m.
Be aware of whether you are in a tsunami evacuation zone. If you are not sure, an interactive map is available here.
Evacuation maps are also available here and here.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the earthquake struck at 1:25 p.m. HST off the east coast of Kamchatka.
A tsunami watch was issued at 1:33 p.m. HST, and a warning was issued at 2:43 p.m. HST.
The earthquake was initially reported at magnitude 8.0, upgraded to magnitude 8.7, then later to 8.8, as listed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii. Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.
A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face. The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor but the area will quickly flood again. Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power. Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.
Click here for information on other impacted areas.
RELATED POST: How to prepare for a tsunami in Hawaii
Warning center scientists use an earthquake’s preliminary seismic information to decide if an earthquake could have generated a tsunami.
Within minutes of an earthquake, they can issue messages that provide alert levels (warning, advisory, watch, information statement), preliminary information about the earthquake, and an evaluation of the threat.
Messages are updated regularly throughout an event as information becomes available.
Here are the different levels of tsunami alerts that you should know:
A tsunami watch is issued when an earthquake occurs that could generate a tsunami. Prepare to take action if the watch is upgraded to a advisory or warning.
A tsunami advisory is upgraded from a watch if a potential tsunami could cause strong currents or dangerous waves. Widespread inundation is not expected. Stay away from beaches and waterways.
A tsunami warning is issued if significant, widespread inundation is imminent or expected with dangerous coastal flooding and currents. Take urgent action to protect life and property, including evacuations.
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