Tsunami watch canceled for Hawaii following M-8.1 earthquake in Pacific

A tsunami watch for Hawaii following a magnitude-8.1 earthquake Thursday morning in the Kermadec Islands was canceled at 12:20 p.m.

Based on all available data there is no tsunami threat to the state, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

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A tsunami watch remained in effect as of 11:27 a.m. for Hawaii following a magnitude-8.1 earthquake Thursday morning in the Kermadec Islands, located in a remote area between New Zealand and Tonga.

Based on all available data, a tsunami may have been generated by the 9:28 a.m. (Hawaii time) earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports. An investigation is still underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii.

The center said in its 11:27 a.m. update that a 0.1-foot wave was measured at Nukualoha, Tonga.

If tsunami waves were generated, the estimated earliest arrival of the first wave is 4:35 p.m. Thursday.

The center upgraded the magnitude from 8.0 to 8.1 in its 10:24 a.m. update.