A large (Mw>7) possibly great (Mw>=7.8) earthquake has hit in the region near
Guam (southern Mariana) Islands. Preliminary epicentral information is quite
imprecise, however the event does appear to be in this region. Initial seismogram
readings suggest the event may have Mw from 7 to 8. A tsunami is quite likely
with this event.
The last great earthquake in the Guam region occurred on Aug. 8, 1993 (Ms 8.2).
That event injured 82 on Guam and did up to 120 million dollars in damage. The
tsunami from that event did much damage and was observed as far away as
California. The only other event in the region of Mw>=7.5 occurred on Dec. 9, 1909
(Mw 8.0). Reference: The Tsunami History of Guam 1849-1993, by Lowell S. Whiteside
and James Lander and Paul Hattori, in press.