A strong 6.9 earthquake struck near the Fiji Islands today, but no Pacific-wide tsunami is expected as a result.
The National Weather Service’s National Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu. Hawaii issued a statement discussing the earthquake. “An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 occured south of the Fiji Islands at 6:21 am CHSTÂ on Thursday, February 17, 2022,” a bulletin read. This translates to 10:21 am HT / 3:21 pm ET on Wednesday, February 16. “Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian, or Saipan from this earthquake.”
A follow-up bulletin broadened the lack of threat: “Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii.”
While there doesn’t appear to be any threat to Hawaii or the North American West Coast either, the Tsunami Warning Center encourages people to remain vigilant close to the epicenter of the strong quake. “Persons along coastal areas near the earthquake should be observant and exercise normal caution. Otherwise, no action is required,” the Tsunami Warning Center issued in a second information statement.
