A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of British Columbia on Saturday about 8 p.m. local time.
The earthquake produced at least four tsunami waves that reached Hawaii several hours later, prompting many to seek higher ground.
The earthquake was located about 395 miles to the south-southeast of Juneau. The epicenter was at a focal depth of 10.9 miles, in the Queen Charlotte Islands.
This earthquake location map is courtesy of the USGS.
Reports of damage in the area are minimal, as the islands are only inhabited by about 5,000 people.
The tsunami generated by the earthquake that struck the coast of British Columbia and nearby islands was relatively small, with a 69 cm (2.3 ft.) wave reported off Langara Island.
A 55 cm (1.9 ft.) wave was also reported at Winter Harbour on northern Vancouver Island. Tsunami alerts, to warn of a potential water rise, were issued as far south as northern California and Hawaii.
More than 100,000 people in Hawaii were evacuated to higher ground prior to the tsunami's arrival. A few hours after the initial quake, the leading edge of the tsunami reached the Hawaiian Islands. Most locations on the northeast coast of Hawaii reported a rise in the water level of only 1 to 2 feet, which was less than expected.
All advisories have since been dropped along the west coast of North America.
NOAA released its 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Thursday, predicting another active season.
This holiday weekend, a rare astronomical phenomenon will occur that will not be seen again until October 2015.
San Antonio is getting hit by heavy thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and evening.
A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.
Severe weather and drenching downpours will affect parts of the Plains and Midwest over the Memorial Day Weekend.
"This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
New York, NY (1979)
A one-hour and 18 minute delay between the Pirates
and Mets game due to fog.
Philadelphia, PA (1991)
96 degrees -- a record sixth 90-degree reading
for the month. (The month ended with twelve
90-degree days.)
New York City (1861)
Snow was reported.
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