8.8 Chile Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning in Hawaii, Entire Pacific Region

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake shook Chile Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning for Hawaii and the entire Pacific region. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is issuing hourly tsunami updates for Hawaii and the Pacific region. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is on its most severe level of of alert, with widespread tsunami warnings .

Chili Earthquake

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the 8.8 magnitude Chile earthquake struck at 3:34 a.m. local time, 1:14 a.m. EST. The epicenter was offshore Maule, Chili - 200 mile from the country's capital of Santiago and only 70 miles from the heavily populated city of Concepcion.

According to CNN, the current number of fatalities is 82. Due to the quake, Santiago, Chile has lost electrical, water and phone services. The USGS reports that tsunami waves have come ashore along coastal Chile, the tallest measuring nine feet.

Tsunami Warning for Hawaii

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii, predicting it will hit the islands at 11:19 HST, 4:19 EST. Their current evaluation of the situation is that, "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."

The Honolulu Advertiser reports that Hawaii will sound its evacuation sirens at 6 a.m. HST, 11 a.m. EST. Coastal areas will be evacuated to higher ground. People who are not in the evacuation zone are encouraged to stay away from the evacuation area. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is encouraging all ships to leave port, due to the expected tsunami.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has also issued tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific basin. It includes over 50 countries and regions, such as Antarctica, New Zealand and Japan. The bulletin advises these countries that the threat for a tsunami has passed, "when no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for two hours."

California & Alaska Under Tsunami Advisory

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas from the California-Mexico border to Attu, Alaska. This advisory includes the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.

The center defines a tsunami advisory as, "a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected."

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center goes on to elaborate that, "Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under advisory." There is a possible danger of hazardous currents to swimmers, boats and buildings on the coast.

Sources:

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010tfan/

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010tfan/#summary

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100227/BREAKING01/100227015/1352

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/pacific/2010/pacific.2010.02.27.144553.txt

http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2010/02/27/725245/09/message725245-09.htm