HONOLULU (AP) - A tsunami warning that spurred coastal evacuations across the Hawaiian islands has been downgraded to a tsunami advisory.
The warning was triggered by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Canada, which also prompted tsunami warnings for southern Alaska and western Canada.
Waves hit Hawaii, but they were smaller than expected. The largest was measured in Maui. It was about two feet higher than normal seas. No major damage has been reported.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie says Hawaii is lucky to have avoided more severe surges after the powerful earthquake. He says beaches and harbors are still closed statewide.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service canceled tsunami advisories for Canada and Oregon, leaving northern California as the only spot in North America still under a tsunami advisory.
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