Hawaii Declared Disaster Area Following Strong Earthquake

夏威夷强烈地震后宣布为灾区

The U.S. Pacific state of Hawaii has been declared a disaster area after a strong earthquake early Sunday, causing damage but no serious injuries. The disaster declaration by Hawaii's governor allows her to mobilize the state's National Guard and makes Hawaii eligible for federal emergency funds.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Sunday's six-point-six magnitude earthquake was centered in the Pacific Ocean just off the sparsely-populated west coast of the island of Hawaii - the largest in the archipelago.

The quake was felt in Honolulu, 250 kilometers away on the chain's most populated island of Oahu. The earthquake triggered landslides, and damaged numerous roads, bridges and buildings. Airports were closed to outgoing flights. Widespread electric outages across the state make communications difficult.

美国位于太平洋的夏威夷州被宣布为灾区。星期天早上发生的强烈地震造成破坏但是没有带来严重人员伤亡。夏威夷州州长宣布该地区为灾区，这样她就能够动用该州的国民警卫队并且有资格获得联邦紧急救援资金。

美国地质局说，星期天发生的6.6级地震的震中在太平洋，靠近夏威夷群岛的最大岛屿夏威夷岛人口稀少的西岸。

距震中250公里、人口最多的瓦胡岛城市火努鲁鲁有震感。地震造成滑坡，并破坏了若干道路、桥梁和建筑。机场取消了所有飞往外地的航班。大规模停电为全州的通讯造成了困难。