Tsunami levels village on American Samoa after 8.3 quake strikes; Tsunami could hit Hawaii

Barbara Tubridy Lombardi

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Tsunami levels village on American Somoa after 8.3 quake strikes

Tsunami could hit Hawaii by 7:00 pm Eastern Time

An offshore earthquake registering 8.3 has struck 120 miles off the southwest coast of American Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean. The quake struck at a depth of 20.5 miles beneath the ocean’s surface. Tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, New Guinea, and other Pacific Islands. It is estimated that the tsunami could reach Hawaii by 1:00 p.m. local time, 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. An earthquake of this magnitude has the power to generate a destructive tsunami, the warning center has stated.

The village of Sau Sau Beach Fale on American Samoa was leveled. New Zealander, Graeme Ansell told National Radio that not a building was left standing. He spoke from a hill near Samoa’s capital, Apia. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center website has up to the minute warnings and messages regarding the status of the tsunami and evacuations.

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