Update: 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28: A tsunami warning that had been issued late Saturday evening for Hawaii has been downgraded today for those islands, however remains in effect in Northern California.
The warning and the following advisories for the Hawaiian islands, the Oregon coastline and Northern California were issued following a major 7.7-magnitude earthquake in the Queen Charlotte Islands region, off the coast of western Canada.
The National Weather Service canceled the tsunami advisories for Hawaii and Oregon, but has left the tsunami advisory in effect for Northern California, specifically a section of the California coastline about 80 miles north of San Francisco that stretches to the Oregon line.
"Tsunami wave heights across the state of Hawaii are now below advisory levels and are continuing to diminish. Based on all available data the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is now cancelling the tsunami advisory. Smaller sea level changes and strong or unusual currents may persist for several additional hours and appropriate caution should be exercised by boaters and swimmers," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
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A tsunami warning has been issued for coastal areas of Northern California, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The warning starts around 80 miles north of San Francisco at Gualala Point and extends north, according to the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.
Tsunami warnings have also been issued for Hawaii and parts of British Columbia and Alaska following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday evening, 86 miles south of Masset, British Columbia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially reported no tsunami threat to Hawaii. However, it then issued a warning late Saturday saying a tsunami had been generated due to the earthquake in western Canada that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in Hawaii.
It cautioned that urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property and said the warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday.
It said the estimated arrival time in Hawaii of the first tsunami wave was 10:28 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 Hawaii time, which is three hours behind California time.
—By Bay City News Service and additional reporting by Sheila Sanchez
