AlHijjah 12, 1433, Oct 28, 2012, SPA -- A tsunami warning for Hawaii was lifted on Sunday after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake off the western coast of Canada failed to trigger strong waves that scientists had warned could cause damage and casualties on the island chain. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning late on Saturday after the earthquake struck off the Queen Charlotte Islands. The centre said waves recorded on the Hawaii coastline were below danger levels. Scientists had warned that initial waves are low and stronger ones usually follow, prompting tens of thousands to flee coastal areas. There was traffic chaos in the capital Honolulu after residents were told to evacuate coastal areas. Warning sirens sounded across the islands. Around 80,000 people live in the evacuation zone in Oahu, where Honolulu is located. The centre had said the tsunami waves could wrap around the islands so all shores of the islands were at risk. The West Coast-Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre also issued a tsunami warning for the coasts of British Columbia and Alaska. A similarly powerful earthquake struck off the Philippines' eastern coast in August, prompting a tsunami warning for Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines. That alert was later lifted.
