A TSUNAMI WARNING AND WATCH ARE IN EFFECT
A tsunami warning has been issued for Papua New Guinea and island nations in the south-west Pacific after an 8.1-magnitude earthquake off Vanuatu.
The epicentre was 373 km (232 miles) north of Santo, Vanuatu's largest island, at a depth of 33km (20.5 miles), the US Geological Survey said.
There have so far been no immediate reports of injuries of damage.
More than 170 people died last week when a tsunami triggered by an quake hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.
Earlier on Wednesday, a 6.7-magnitude quake struck off the Philippines, but no tsunami warning was issued.
TSUNAMI WATCH NUMBER 1 FOR AUSTRALIA
Issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) at 9:44 AM EDT on
Thursday 08 October 2009
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POTENTIAL TSUNAMI THREAT TO QUEENSLAND
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SUMMARY:
An undersea earthquake has occurred near VANUATU ISLANDS.
At this stage no tsunami waves have been observed that may threaten Australia.
If a tsunami has been generated, it may start affecting the following States
and Territories after these local times:
Willis Is after 10:45 am (EDT) Thursday
Grteat Barrier Reef offshore islands and reefs between Bowen and St Lawrence
after 10:45 am (EDT) Thursday.
Listen for further updates. The next advice will be issued by 11:14 AM EDT on
Thursday 08 October 2009
For further details visit the Bureau web site www.bom.gov.au.
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DETAILS:
An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.9 has occurred at 9:03 AM EDT on Thursday
08 October 2009 near VANUATU ISLANDS (latitude 13.030S longitude 166.320E ).
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre is closely monitoring the situation
and will advise immediately if there is cause for concern.
Maps showing the affected areas are on the Bureau web site
www.bom.gov.au/tsunami. For a repeat of this warning call 1300 TSUNAMI (1300
878 6264).
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EDT = Eastern Daylight Time
EST = Eastern Standard Time = EDT - 1 hour
CST = Central Standard Time = EDT - 1.5 hours
CDT = Central Daylight Time = EDT - 30 minutes
WST = Western Standard Time = EDT - 3 hours
