Earthquake Near Tonga-Magnitude 7.9 Tsunami Warning

[Bob Nattering]

Notice on twitter from CNN (http://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/1355995779)

Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509824,00.html)

Developing: A tsunami warning has been issued after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific Thursday, 130 miles from Tonga and 300 miles from Fiji, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

"It is not known that a tsunami was generated," Reuters quotes the U.S National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami."

The quake reportedly had a depth of of 6.2 miles.

USGS Data (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009ejbr.php#details)

Volcano erupted several hours ago: Video from AP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRU22t1BhNY)

[Bob Nattering]

BBC says tsunami warning includes Samoa and Fiji.

Hawaii not included in warning.

Weather services have not reported formation of tsunami yet.

[large]

Unless it created an underwater landslide, it (usually) doesn't create much of a swell (or compression) . . on the other hand Pago Pago (pronounced pango pango) is supposed to be in the path if there is one . . watch my buddy Tom make a killing off of Nancy's Tuna Canneries if it does . .

(My buddy Tom owns and operates the ONLY construction company on Pago Pago, and when they aren't building new concrete houses for the Samoans, which is paid for by Sam, they're building, re-building or dredging for Del Monte)

Hopefully it won't wash Tom overboard! Afterall, American Samoa is 5 miles wide and 60 miles long . .

[Bob Nattering]

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/pacific/2009/pacific.2009.03.19.193112.txt):

SEA LEVEL READINGS CONFIRM THAT A TSUNAMI WAS GENERATED. THIS
TSUNAMI MAY HAVE BEEN DESTRUCTIVE ALONG COASTLINES OF THE REGION
NEAR THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. AUTHORITIES IN THE REGION SHOULD
TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS POSSIBILITY. THIS
CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR SEA LEVEL GAUGES NEAREST THE
REGION AND REPORT IF ANY ADDITIONAL TSUNAMI WAVE ACTIVITY. THE
WARNING WILL NOT EXPAND TO OTHER AREAS OF THE PACIFIC UNLESS
ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED TO WARRANT SUCH AN EXPANSION.

[Bob Nattering]

Looks like it's over BNO News (http://adjix.com/83yp) says small tsunami hit Niue. They indicate that the height was about 4 cm depending on local conditions. I guess 4 cm (<2 inches) would fit your prediction, Large. I hope your buddy's boat can take a 2-inch wave.

I guess instead of following twitter, I should have waited for tomorrow's paper.

[large]

Dunno, last time I talked to him, he'd been there over 12 years and still hated boats . . called them "holes in the water you throw money into" . . But, oddly, he loved Drag Racing, hardly something practiced on an Island with about 50 Toyota pickups total . . But, his other sin was golf and according to him, the whole Island was just one large golf course . . so, ole Tom apparently won't be out of entertainment and now he can say he saw a Tsunami . .

[Mr. Marsh]

Unless it created an underwater landslide, it (usually) doesn't create much of a swell (or compression) . . on the other hand Pago Pago (pronounced pango pango) is supposed to be in the path if there is one . . watch my buddy Tom make a killing off of Nancy's Tuna Canneries if it does . .

(My buddy Tom owns and operates the ONLY construction company on Pago Pago

No he doesn't.

http://www.pagopago.com/business/construction.htm

[large]

Oh, well, I stand corrected . . Just going by what the CEO of the company tells me . . I'll forward your correction . .

[large]

Hmmm, according to my Bud, currently there is actually still ONE Company functioning as a "Local contractor with bond capabilities of $500K or more" on the island.

There are 5 local Samoan contractors, functioning as smaller companies, but with exception of one of those, they are one, two man operations.

In reference to several other Corporate Contractors listed, two are strictly contractors to the US Navy, one, for an Australian Cruise line, and several others maintain offices on the island for bidding qualifications involving Del Monte, the U. S. Navy, and the Dept. of Interior . . As well as the Samoan population . . Who actually own ALL of the property on the island . .

The biggest problem with bidding work on any Pacific Island (or other remote location) is the Bid item "Mobilization/De-Mobilization". Getting your equipment and personnel to the new job is both expensive and time taking . . Often, (and this is quite common) the bidding contractor will actually sub contract his job to the local who is already in place, covering the performance bonds and the liability, as well as warranty . . Thus, he makes a profit and doesn't have the headache of putting equipment and people in place . .

Should anyone wish to argue, PM me and I'll let you use YOUR nickel to argue with my bud personally. And they (the nickels) add up fast . . the call is REAL long Distance!