This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/world/asia/earthquake-tsunami-solomon-islands-south-pacific.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tsunami Causes Deaths and Damages Homes on Solomon Islands Tsunami Causes Deaths and Damages Homes on Solomon Islands
(about 3 hours later)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — A powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami that sent strong waves crashing into several South Pacific islands, with officials in the Solomon Islands saying that at least four people have lost their lives. AUCKLAND, New Zealand — A powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami that sent strong waves crashing into several South Pacific islands on Wednesday, with officials in the Solomon Islands saying that at least four people died.
The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings and watches from several island chains to Australia and later New Zealand, but many of those were later canceled. The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings and watches from several island chains to Australia and later New Zealand, but many were later canceled.
The low-lying Solomon Islands, however, were not spared. At least 100 homes in the community of Lata were completely destroyed by a surge of water, according to the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision.  Water and electricity also remain down in the township, which is the capital of the Solomon Islands’ Temoto Province. The low-lying Solomon Islands, however, were not spared. At least 100 homes in the community of Lata were destroyed by a surge of water, according to World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization.  Water and electricity also remain down in the township, which is the capital of the Solomon Islands’ Temoto Province.
Government officials said that in addition to the four confirmed deaths in the islands, there were unconfirmed reports that some people in fishing boats were swept out to sea by the surge.  Government officials said that in addition to the four confirmed deaths in the islands, there were unconfirmed reports that some people in fishing boats were swept out to sea.
The majority of Lata’s residents have relocated to higher ground in central Lata, with many having done so before the sea surge.  Even though the tsunami warning for the region was lifted, significant tremors were still being felt throughout Temotu Province. The majority of Lata’s residents have relocated to higher ground in central Lata, following many who fled before the surge.  Even though the tsunami warning for the region was lifted, significant tremors were still being felt throughout Temotu Province and waters had not fully receded late in the day.
By late Wednesday, water was still knee deep in parts of Lata.
"I am currently walking through one community, and I’m knee-deep in water," said Jeremiah Tabua, World Vision’s emergency response coordinator in the Solomon Islands.  "I can see a number of houses that have been swept away by the surge.""I am currently walking through one community, and I’m knee-deep in water," said Jeremiah Tabua, World Vision’s emergency response coordinator in the Solomon Islands.  "I can see a number of houses that have been swept away by the surge."
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning was limited to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning was limited to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna.
A lesser alert, a tsunami watch, was declared for American Samoa, Australia, Guam, the Northern Marianas, New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.A lesser alert, a tsunami watch, was declared for American Samoa, Australia, Guam, the Northern Marianas, New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.
The earthquake was not only powerful but also shallow, which gave it significant potential to cause damage, said Barry Hirshorn, a geophysicist with the National Weather Service in Hawaii. Moreover, it was a thrust earthquake, he said, meaning that the sea floor moved up or down, not sideways, contributing to the potential for a dangerous tsunami.The earthquake was not only powerful but also shallow, which gave it significant potential to cause damage, said Barry Hirshorn, a geophysicist with the National Weather Service in Hawaii. Moreover, it was a thrust earthquake, he said, meaning that the sea floor moved up or down, not sideways, contributing to the potential for a dangerous tsunami.
But after the earthquake, as scientists watched to see how far a tsunami might spread, there were few early indications of a major threat beyond the immediate area, Mr. Hirshorn said. A water rise of about three feet had been observed close to the quake, he said, still high enough to be potentially damaging but probably not big enough to threaten distant shores.But after the earthquake, as scientists watched to see how far a tsunami might spread, there were few early indications of a major threat beyond the immediate area, Mr. Hirshorn said. A water rise of about three feet had been observed close to the quake, he said, still high enough to be potentially damaging but probably not big enough to threaten distant shores.
In New Zealand, thousands of people were at the beach, swimming in the sea on a glorious summer afternoon on Waitangi Day, a national holiday — quite oblivious to the potential for a tsunami. Tsunami sirens were set off late in the afternoon there, and people in coastal areas were being told to stay off beaches and out of the sea, rivers and estuaries.In New Zealand, thousands of people were at the beach, swimming in the sea on a glorious summer afternoon on Waitangi Day, a national holiday — quite oblivious to the potential for a tsunami. Tsunami sirens were set off late in the afternoon there, and people in coastal areas were being told to stay off beaches and out of the sea, rivers and estuaries.
The New Zealand Herald reported Wednesday afternoon on its Web site that tsunami sirens in Suva, the capital of Fiji, had been warning people to stay inside or go to higher ground.The New Zealand Herald reported Wednesday afternoon on its Web site that tsunami sirens in Suva, the capital of Fiji, had been warning people to stay inside or go to higher ground.