A 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Canada's Pacific Coast has generated a tsunami that has hit both southwestern Canada and the U.S. state of Hawaii.
Emergency sirens sounded across the Hawaiian islands late Saturday to warn about the oncoming tsunami, prompting residents and tourists along Hawaii's coasts to move to higher ground.
Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing extra safety measures.
Officials say the waves could cause damage along all coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They estimated the waves could reach 2 meters high, but initial waves have not been as large as anticipated.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "urgent action" should be taken to protect lives and property.
A small tsunami was reported along the Pacific coasts of the U.S. state of California and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
While no damage has been reported in Canada, authorities have warned people along Canada's coast, as well as the U.S. coastal regions of southeastern Alaska, northern California and southern Oregon to take precautions. Officials have urged people to move to higher ground.
A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each wave crest can last from five to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power.
Emergency sirens sounded across the Hawaiian islands late Saturday to warn about the oncoming tsunami, prompting residents and tourists along Hawaii's coasts to move to higher ground.
Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing extra safety measures.
Officials say the waves could cause damage along all coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They estimated the waves could reach 2 meters high, but initial waves have not been as large as anticipated.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "urgent action" should be taken to protect lives and property.
A small tsunami was reported along the Pacific coasts of the U.S. state of California and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
While no damage has been reported in Canada, authorities have warned people along Canada's coast, as well as the U.S. coastal regions of southeastern Alaska, northern California and southern Oregon to take precautions. Officials have urged people to move to higher ground.
A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each wave crest can last from five to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power.
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