The majority of Earthquakes in Hawaii are centered in and around "The Big Island", Hawaii and are mainly the result of the volcanic activity of the Kilauea Crater and Mauna Loa Volcanos. Earthquakes are less frequent on the other isles. You can check out
the latest volcanic activity at Kilauea on our Hawaiian Volcanos Activity Page.
Current Reported Watches, Warnings and Advisiories for Oahu's Eastern Windward Shores
Local & Regional Weather Statements, Watches And Warnings
Tsunami (soo-NAH-mee): a Japanese word that means harbor wave; a sea
wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor
displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides,
or exploding volcanic islands. Typically generated by seismic or volcanic
activity or by underwater landslides, a tsunami consists of a series of
high-energy waves that radiate outward like pond ripples from the area in
which the generating event occurred.
Not all earthquakes produce tsunamis. To generate a tsunami, an earthquake
must occur underneath or near the ocean, be very large (approximately Richter
magnitude 7 or greater), and create vertical movement of the sea floor. However,
recent studies regarding the potential for a great Cascadia Subduction zone
earthquake off the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California coastlines
indicate the local tsunami waves may reach nearby coastal communities within
minutes of the earthquake thereby giving little or no time to issue
warnings.
How will I know if a Tsunami is coming?
The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) is responsible for
tsunami warnings for California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and
Alaska.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) provides warnings to
international authorities, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories within the Pacific
Basin.
The WC/ATWC and PTWC may issue the following bulletins:
Information: A message with information about an earthquake
that is not expected to generate a tsunami.
Advisory: An earthquake has occurred in the Pacific Basin, which
might generate a tsunami.
Watch: A tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at
least two hours travel time to the area in Watch status.
Warning: A tsunami was, or may have been generated, which could cause
damage; therefore, people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate.
A warning siren may sound.
Seawater may recede quickly.
The ground may shake, indicating an earthquake has occurred.
Your NOAA Tone Alert radio issues a warning that a tsunami may be headed to your area.
Kãne‘ohe and Kãne‘ohe Bay with the Koolau Mountains as backdrop - Windward - Oahu, Hawaii
Member of the:
Pepper Ridge North Valley Random Weather Facts
MOON PHASE Misconception...
"The most common incorrect reason given for the cause of the Moon's phases is that we are seeing the shadow of the Earth on the Moon! But this cannot be correct: when the Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth, we get a lunar eclipse. Anyone who has seen a lunar eclipse, though, might remember that the Moon actually passes through the Earth's shadow only rarely, so that can't be why the Moon has phases. The real reason for the Moon's phases depends on two things: the Moon is round, and the angle it makes with the Earth and Sun changes over its orbit."
- As Quoted From Bad Astronomy.