[Benjamin]

Hawaii hit by tsunami triggered by Canada quake

A tsunami triggered by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake thousands of miles away in Canada has hit the island chain of Hawaii, with no damage reported so far.

Emergency sirens sounded late on Saturday to alert residents around the islands that make up Hawaii.

The first waves were reported to be up to 2.5ft (76cm) in one area.

Wave heights of three to six feet were predicted in some areas, as "urgent action" was advised to protect lives.

There were no immediate reports of damage on the Canadian coast following the earthquake.

Tsunami alerts that were issued for coastal areas of Alaska and British Columbia were swiftly downgraded.

The quake hit 125 miles (200km) south-west of the Canadian mining town of Prince Rupert at a depth of 11 miles (18km), said the US Geological Survey.

Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it did not expect a threat beyond the immediate area.

But later it said: "A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along the coastline of all islands in the state of Hawaii."

First waves had been predicted to hit the archipelago around 22:30 local (08:30GMT).

"Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," the warning said.

After the first wave struck, Hawaii's Lt Governor, Brian Schatz, tweeted that water was now receding in Hilo Harbour, on Hawaii or 'Big Island'.

He also reminded people that the first wave was not usually the biggest, and that surges could continue for six to seven hours.

Initial local media reports from around the islands suggested that wave heights recorded so far had generally been about six inches, with 2.5ft in one place.

Hawaii is made up of hundreds of islands, spread over some 1,500 miles.

People living in areas considered to be at risk were urged to move to higher ground.

Wave heights of three to six feet have been predicted in some areas, with the biggest waves expected in Hilo, Kahului, Haleiwa and Hanalei, local media reported.
'Everything moving'

The quake struck the coast of western Canada at around 03:00 GMT and was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock.

People in coastal areas of Canada's Haida Gwaii archipelago - formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands - were reportedly being moved to higher ground as a precaution.

Urs Thomas, operator of the Golden Spruce hotel in Port Clements, close to the epicentre, said the initial quake lasted about three minutes.

"It was a pretty good shock," he told Associated Press. "I looked at my boat outside. It was rocking. Everything was moving. My truck was moving."

A resident of the mainland town of Prince Rupert, Grainne Barthe, told AP: "Everything was moving. It was crazy. I've felt earthquakes before but this was the biggest. It was nerve-wracking. I thought we should be going under a table."

Following the quake, small waves measuring 69 cm (27 inches) were reported on the north-east tip of Haida Gwai, while parts of the north-east coast of Vancouver Island saw waves up to 55cm high.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20113884

[Redway]

[Marc]

Oh

[Shaun]

Oh, only 2.5ft? They'll be fine.

-goes to bed and wakes up to a 2004 Boxing Day-style tragedy-

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Oh, only 2.5ft? They'll be fine.

-goes to bed and wakes up to a 2004 Boxing Day-style tragedy-

lmfao

[nicole_burks]

[Update 6:26 a.m.] There have been 23 aftershocks measuring 4.1 or greater since a 7.7-magnitude quake struck off the coast of Queen Charlotte Islands in Canada late Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/27...-canada-coast/

[Apple202]

Doesn't Hawaii have a tsunami almost every year?

[billy123]

It was done and dusted by 9am uk time the actual surge when it was due to hit at 8.28am was 2 inches lol.
The sea level dropped as it approached by 2.6ft but only peaked at 2.7ft above that (ie 2 inches above what it was) I was watching a hawaii news stream expecting to see something but it wasnt even a splash on the beach.
But that doesnt stop the bbc getting excited!

[Benjamin]

I remember when I was in Australia and the earthquake happened in Chile and we had a Tsunami warning put in place. We all rushed to beach and the waves were so tiny.

[Ninastar]

you rushed to the beach during a tsunami warning?

[Benjamin]

Yeah, we wanted to see it in the distance. We had our car ready as we were near enough high ground.

[Ninastar]

that sounds quite thrilling actually

[Nedusa]

I imagine all the surfers will be out in force trying to catch this wave...!!

[SharkAttack]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

Yeah, we wanted to see it in the distance. We had our car ready as we were near enough high ground.

Still, Turtle. Sometimes "seeing it in the distance" *seems* like a good idea. Be in the distance!

[lostalex]

*******ing Canadians, always causing trouble.