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Tsunami Waves Hit US Mainland

But no major damage reported

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2011 4:24 AM CST | Updated Mar 11, 2011 11:15 AM CST

(Newser) – The first tsunami waves triggered by Japan's massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake have hit the US mainland, the AP reports. Waves surged slightly along the northern coast of California and could reach seven feet; Oregon also saw high water. The tsunami was earlier moving through all the Hawaiian islands, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Maui saw seven-foot waves; Oahu and Kauai only saw three-feet waves, but officials said waves will continue and could get larger.

No major damage has been reported in the US. Because Hawaiians had hours to prepare, roads and beaches were empty, coastal residents had evacuated, and tourists had moved to higher floors of their high-rise hotels before the waves hit. In Southern California, surfers were even taking advantage of the larger waves. Click for more on the quake's aftermath.

Jessica Teng, left, and John Parisik find shelter in a shopping center after being forced to evacuate early Friday, March 11, 2011 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Chris Stewart)

Hotel guests from the Moana Surfrider evacuate early Friday, March 11, 2011 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

Dain Okimoto looks down on the lights of Waikiki from Tantalus Drive Thursday, March 10, 2011 in Honolulu. Okimoto along with thousands of Oahu residents evacuated to higher ground. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

The US West coast braces for fallout from Japan's massive 8.9 earthquake. (?AKX_)

Cars line up for several blocks to get gas and supplies, Thursday, March 10, 2011 in Ewa, Hawaii as residents brace for a tsunami after a massive earthquake in Japan. (AP Photo/ Marco Garcia)

The shore and pier at Seal Beach, Calif. are closed to the public as officials wait for a tsunami warning to pass on Friday, March 11, 2011, after a major earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. (AP Photo/Orange County Register, Bruce Chambers)

With a tsunami warning in effect for Northern California, two men watch the waves at San Francisco's Ocean Beach on Friday, March 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

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Tsunami Waves Hit US Mainland

But no major damage reported

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