The National Weather Service had issued a Tsunami Watch for Hawaii following a preliminary 7.8-magnitude earthquake near the Kuril Islands.
The US Geological Survey called for an alert
As per the Geological Survey, March 24, at 6 pm, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 had occurred at approximately 4:59 HST in the region of the Kuril Islands. Moreover, the quake occurred at a depth of about 35 miles. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said it was investigating the event.
BREAKING: 7.5 magnitude #earthquake strikes off eastern Russia. #Tsunami Watch is in place for #Hawaii: pic.twitter.com/UbdVWaIcxT
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 25, 2020
This is the second time in just over a month that a major earthquake struck near the Kuril Islands. Earlier, in February, a magnitude 6.9 quake reportedly occurred at a depth of 143 km.
Following the latest development, a tsunami watch was issued for the state of Hawaii, according to the officials. In case the tsunami waves were to hit Hawaii, the estimated earliest arrival of the first wave is 10:39 p.m., the PTWC said at 5:27 p.m.
“Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,” said a statement.
There is no threat
However, the Oahu emergency management officials say there is no threat to Hawaii from a large quake off the Islands in the Pacific. The watch was called off as the data showed no significant waves that were generated by the M7.5 earthquake that occurred hours ago. The watch was canceled just before 6 p.m.
Tsunami Watch is cancelled as of 553 pm HST.
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) March 25, 2020
Laura Kong, director of the International Tsunami Informational Center, said earthquakes at the strength of the one in the Kuril Islands “generally have not caused huge tsunamis historically” for Hawaii.
