No Tsunami Danger For West Coast After Major Quake

CALIFORNIA — While there is no tsunami danger for the U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, or Alaska from an 8.1-magnitude earthquake Thursday in the Kermadec Islands region north of New Zealand, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said there could be some non-damaging sea-level changes to some areas along the West Coast.

The quake was recorded just before 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Thursday about 650 miles from New Zealand, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was the largest of several foreshocks and aftershocks and generated a tsunami that early data indicated may produce tsunami waves in Hawaii, American Samoa, South America, Antarctica and Australia, according to statements put out by the National Weather Service's National Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.

For several hours, the Tsunami Warning Center said it was evaluating whether the tsunami posed any threats to California, Oregon, Washington or Alaska on the U.S. West Coast or to British Columbia, Canada.

"Earthquakes of this size are known to generate tsunamis potentially dangerous to coasts outside the source region," according to the agency's tsunami statement. "The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center is analyzing the event to determine the level of danger."

At 2:24 p.m., the Tsunami Warning Center said:

"There is no tsunami danger for the U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, or Alaska. Some of the areas listed above [U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, or Alaska] may experience non-damaging sea-level changes. This will be the final U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center message issued for this event unless additional information becomes available."

Tsunami Watch, Advisory Canceled For Hawaii, American Samoa

A tsunami watch was issued for the U.S. state of Hawaii and a tsunami advisory was issued for American Samoa.

However, the watch for Hawaii was canceled at 2:20 p.m. Pacific Time and the advisory for American Samoa was canceled at 2:16 p.m. Pacific Time.

Initially, there was believed to be a "threat to American Samoa of sea-level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could be a hazard along beaches, in harbors and in coastal waters," the National Weather Service said.

Early data indicated the tsunami "generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter," such as Hawaii, the National Weather Service said.

The 8.1-magnitude earthquake was not the first to hit the Kermadec Islands region early Thursday; at least two quakes — the largest a 7.4-magnitude — forced New Zealanders to higher ground multiple times in six hours, the Washington Post reported.

A large earthquake occurred NNE of New Zealand (magnitude 8.1 at 11:28am PST). The Tsunami Warning Center is presently evaluating the threat for the US West Coast. #CAwx #Tsunami https://t.co/FEsg2GgfhB
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) March 4, 2021