A tsunami wave warning has been issued after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 occurred in the Haiti region. Forecasters say there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake but tsunami waves could reach one to three metres in places. There is a possibility of tsunami waves along coasts located near the epicentre. However it is important to note there could be “uncertainties in the forecast”.

       The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre at Ewa Beach, Hawaii, recorded the huge earthquake this afternoon.

       The warning centre which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded the whopping earthquake at 1229 (UTC).

       NOAA said: “Sunami waves reaching one to three metres above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Haiti.

       They add: “Actual amplitudes at the coast may vary from forecast amplitudes due to uncertainties in the forecast and local features.

       READ MORE: Haiti earthquake: Major magnitude 7.2 quake hits - region on alert

       “In particular maximum tsunami amplitudes on atolls or small islands and at locations with fringing or barrier reefs will likely be much smaller than the forecast indicates."

       Location: Jeremie, Expected time of arrival (ETA) 12:39 (UTC)

       Location: Jacamel, ETA 13:18 (UTC)

       Location: Port Au Prince, ETA 13:28 (UTC)

       It is worth noting arrival times for these threatened regions may differ.

       NOAA warn the initial wave may not be the largest.

       It is mistakenly believed by many that a tsunami is just one big wave.

       A Tsunami is a series of waves and the time in between waves can be five minutes to one hour.

       “Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation, procedures and the level of threat.

       “Persons located in threatened coastal areas should stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities”.

       Even though NOAA has not issued a tsunami threat they stress tsunami waves such as the one forecast are dangerous.

       They warn: “Persons caught in the water of a tsunami may drown, be crushed by debris in the water, or be swept out to sea.”

       Further information and forecasts about this quake can be found here.