Samoa Tsunami - Tsunami Warning and Preparedness - page 241

wave amplitude listed, which conirmed the generation of a tsunami. Nevertheless, the oficial
evaluation stated that “Based on available data a tsunami may have been generated. . . .” 2
After the second message, 86 minutes later, Tsunami Message Number 3 was issued at
10:23 AM HST. The tsunami watch was oficially canceled in this announcement for the entire
state of Hawaii, and was replaced with a tsunami advisory. This message was updated with
a signiicant amount of information available from additional gauge stations. It was deter-
mined, as listed in the evaluation, that a major tsunami would not strike the state of Hawaii,
but that a sea level change and stronger currents were possible, which could be hazardous to
people along the coastlines. The estimated time that the effects from the sea level change and
stronger currents could be expected to begin was 1:00 PM HST. Based on these hazards, it was
stated that the tsunami advisory would remain in effect until 7:00 PM HST. 2 Due to the timely
delivery of this message, an evacuation was avoided.
An announcement issued by Civil Defense was delivered by police, ire, and lifeguards to
the public warning it of potential risks on beaches and suggesting that people remain out of
the water. 3,4 Despite Civil Defense's announcement that beach goers should remain out of the
water during the time of the possible arrival of the irst wave, from 1:11 p.m. and onward, it was
reported that Waikiki Beaches were still packed with people during this time. 3 Because Civil
Defense knew and communicated that a widespread evacuation was not necessary, people
were unresponsive to suggestions that they remain out of the water.
The fourth and inal tsunami message, issued at 4:12 PM HST, announced the continua-
tion of the tsunami advisory for the state of Hawaii. This message provided more detail from
additional gauge stations with latitude, longitude, time, amplitude, and the wave period for
tsunami wave activity. The evaluation in this message declared that “Small tsunami waves from
this earthquake are now crossing the Hawaiian Islands. While these waves are not expected to
cause any signiicant coastal looding they can produce small changes of sea level at the coast
and strong or unusual currents that can be hazardous to swimmers.” 2
REFERENCES
1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2009. Paciic Tsunami Warning Center Tsunami Bulletins to IOC listserv .
Paciic Tsunami Warning Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2009. Paciic Tsunami Warning Center Tsunami Messages to Civil
Defense . Paciic Tsunami Warning Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
3. KITV. 2009. Many Beachgoers in Waikiki Ignore Warnings . [Online]. Available: http://www.kitv.com/news/21150223/detail.
html [2010, February, 3].
4. Hawaii News Now. 2009. Tsunami Watch Canceled for Hawaii After 8.3 Samoa Quake . [Online]. Available: http://www.
hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11225197 [2010, February, 3].