SAMOA (Commonwealth Union)_A tsunami warning has been lifted for Samoan low-lying coastal areas following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake.
The earthquake struck around 8.30 a.m. Monday in Samoa/7.30 a.m. Sunday in American Samoa, leading the Samoan authorities to advise residents of low-lying coastal areas to avoid beaches. It also warned the public to avoid visiting coastal regions until a cancellation is issued. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred about 8.30 a.m. local time south-east of Samoa at a depth of 36 kilometres.
The epicentre of the tremor was located 108 kilometres north of Hihifo, Tonga, and south of Apia, according to the USGS. The PAGER reaction system graded it green, indicating a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Monica Miller, an RNZ Pacific journalist in American Samoa, says she was at home when the earthquake occurred. “It was at 7.30 a.m. on a Sunday morning when I felt the quake. I was ironing to get ready for Mass when I felt a tremor and assumed it was just some movement in the house, but then it really shook. It lasted approximately five to six seconds, and yeah, it was a strong one.”
Locals, according to Miller, were starting to post on social media that it was a huge one. Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, an RNZ Pacific correspondent in Apia, said there was some panic as the tremor occurred. He claimed that his neighbour came over and asked him to move him and his family inland to higher ground. Following the tremor, Autagavaia claimed he spoke with a few people, and workers at the local store indicated they were waiting for the tsunami and flood warning sirens to ring.
There are seven siren locations in Apia, and many were unsure whether they should wait for them to sound or simply relocate to higher ground, he said. Today’s earthquake, according to Autagavaia, was so powerful that it reminded him of the 2009 quake. The 8.3-magnitude earthquake caused a disastrous tsunami that hit Samoa and Tonga, killing 186 people.
