09-29-2009, 05:52 AM
A tsunami watch is also in effect for Johnston Island, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Wake Island, Pitcairn, Midway Island, Chuuk and Australia.
Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a watch for Australia, the Join Australian Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat to the country or its islands.
A spokeswoman for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told BNO News that a 13.1 foot (4 meter) tsunami had hit the harbor of Pago Pago on American Samoa, but said she had no information about possible casualties. The first floor of at least one government building in Pago Pago was inundated with water, she added.
"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. An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii," a bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center read.
Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a watch for Australia, the Join Australian Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat to the country or its islands.
A spokeswoman for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told BNO News that a 13.1 foot (4 meter) tsunami had hit the harbor of Pago Pago on American Samoa, but said she had no information about possible casualties. The first floor of at least one government building in Pago Pago was inundated with water, she added.
"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. An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii," a bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center read.