More large earthquakes have occurred near the Solomon Islands, generating a 4th tsunami warning.
Over the past 24 hours, large earthquakes have continued to shake the Pacific Rim, sending out more tsunami warnings.
A 4th tsunami warning for the Pacific Islands was issued after a 8.3 magnitude quake struck at Kirakira, Solomon Islands 23 hours ago. Since my last post, April 10, 2014, the following quakes have occurred:
- 5.3 Iquique, Chile (offshore)
- 8.3 Kirakira, Solomon Islands (tsunami warning issued for Pacific Ocean)
- 7.7 Kirakira, Solomon Islands
- 5.7 Kirakira, Solomon Islands
- 5.6 Kirakira, Solomon Islands
- 5.3 Papua New Guinea
- 5.9 Kirakira, Solomon Islands
- 5.0 Kirakira, Solomon Islands
When an earthquake occurs, I record the initial magnitude reading from the Pacific Disaster Alert Center in Hawaii. You will notice that USGS typically lowers these magnitudes, but I maintain that the initial seismograph reading is the most accurate.
Several large earthquakes have caused tsunami flooding along the Pacific island coasts.
Sea level readings did indicate that a tsunami was generated along the coasts near the earthquake epicenter. If damaging waves subside after two hours of the quake, local authorities can assume that the tsunami threat has passed. A danger to boats and coastal structures remains for several hours after a large quake due to rapid currents.
You won’t hear much about these tsunamis on US mainstream news, but they are very important to the people living in these island regions.
