At 12:43 am Hawaii Time / 5:43 am ET, the National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii issued a Tsunami Advisory for the entire state due to a massive volcanic eruption that occurred earlier this evening in Tonga.
The explosive eruption in Tonga occurred at roughly 6:27 pm Hawaii Time and experts with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) believe that volcanic activity could make the water around Hawaii hazardous.
“Based on all available data a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii. However, sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbors and marinas,” the PTWC warned in a bulletin tonight. “The threat may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival,” they added.
The PTWC estimates the arrival of the initial wave will occur now at 1:05 am local time / 6:05 am ET.
