Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii and most of Pacific following Chile earthquake

Tsunami wave travel times as a result of the magnitude 8.8
earthquake near Chile. (NOAA)

Update, 4:20pm MST (1:20pm HST) - It appears Hawaii will escape relatively unscathed from the tsunami. An official from the PTWC said the state had "dodged a bullet." Live video feeds of the coast on the island of Hawaii continues to show large surges of water in and out.

The warning continues for the time being out of an abudnance of caution but may be dropped relatively soon.

According to the center, these are the wave heights that were recorded thus far:

KAWAIHAE HAWAII - 0.52M / 1.7FT
BARBERS PT HI - 0.19M / 0.6FT
KAUMALAPAU HAWAII - 0.18M / 0.6FT
KAHULUI MAUI - 0.98M / 3.2FT
NAWILIWILI KAUAI - 0.28M / 0.9FT
HILO HI - 0.86M / 2.8FT
PAGO PAGO AS - 0.66M / 2.2FT

It has been determined that the Chile earthquake this morning ties as the fifth most powerful temblor since 1900. Click here for details.

Update, 3:30pm MST (12:30pm HST) - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) tells NBC that a 5.6 foot wave was recorded at Hilo Bay. At this point, the center says it will be another hour before the warning is called off. Local residents should not return to evacuated areas until given the all clear.

Update, 2:25pm MST (11:25am HST) – The expected arrival time of the tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii has come and gone. No obvious signs of the wave have been seen although at this moment there are reports of the water becoming discolored near Hilo which could indicate the water is beginning to pull out in advance of the wave.

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Local television is showing dozens of vessels of all types off the coast. Many had left port to ride out the wave at sea rather than in a harbor where greater damage may be realized.

Update, 11:50am MST - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the tsunami’s waves are expected to be at 8 feet when they arrive at the island of Hawaii. By the time it reaches Oahu the PTWC estimates heights of three feet.

Officials caution that while the heights themselves may not seem extraordinary, the run-up could inundate areas far inland. Further, predicting tsunami wave height is not exact and the first wave may not be the highest.

The arrival time for the tsunami has been updated:

11:05 AM HST - Hilo, Hawaii
11:26 AM HST - Kahului, Maui
11:37 AM HST - Honolulu
11:42 AM HST - Nawiliwili, Kauai

Historical information:

Original story, 8:18am MST: In the wake of a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile, tsunami warnings have been issued for much of the Pacific. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) warned that massive waves triggered by the temblor could cause ‘widespread damage.’

The center warned that the coastlines along all islands in Hawaii are at risk. “Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property,” the center said. The first waves of the tsunami are expected to reach the islands at 11:19am HST (4:15pm EST).

Tsunami sirens will be sounded in Hawaii at 6:00am local time to ensure residents are aware and can prepare for the arrival of the waves. The Hawaii State Civil Defense Department is warning residents to be prepared to evacuate areas that are at risk.

The PTWC said the danger can last for several hours after the initial wave and the first wave may not be largest to strike. All shores are considered at risk whether they face the direction of the earthquake or not. Strong currents further pose a risk to swimmers and vessels in the area.

The tsunami poses a threat to other areas away from the quake’s epicenter. Tsunami warnings are in effect for much of the western South American coast as well as those in Central America and Mexico. Further out in the Pacific, the warning includes Australia, American Samoa, the Solomon and Marshall Islands, Midway Island, Russia, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

The largest earthquake on record struck near the same area as Saturday’s earthquake on May 22, 1960. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tsunami generated by that magnitude 9.5 temblor claimed lives in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines. 61 people were killed in Hawaii alone where waves as high as 35 feet struck near Hilo.

While not as threatening, a tsunami advisory was issued by the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center for much of the coastal United States. The areas under the advisory include all of the California coast as well as coastal areas of Alaska from Kodiak to Attu.

The waves are expected to reach La Jolla, California at 11:44 PST, Sitka, Alaska at 3:49pm PST and Kodiak at 4:28pm.

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