At 23:55 UTC, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat message warning of the potential for dangerous tsunami waves along the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, within 1,000 km (620 mi) of the epicenter.[27] The PTWC announced on 00:25 UTC that the tsunami threat was over.[28] However, it noted that “minor sea level fluctuations in some coastal areas” were possible.[20] The USGS estimated that “some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized” on its PAGER service.[29][5] Fearing a tsunami, coastal inhabitants evacuated to higher ground after reporting a drop in sea level.[6]