A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake has triggered tsunami warnings in a number of countries, including the United States, Japan and Russia, with high waves predicted in Hawaii.
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A tsunami has hit the coast of Russia's Kuril Islands and the large northern Japanese island of Hokkaido after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Russian coast early Wednesday. Warnings have also been issued for Alaska, Hawaii and other coastlines south of New Zealand.
You can watch the water levels recede in Hawaii, Russia and Japan by connecting to local webcams that show the current situation at various beaches.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami of up to 60 cm (2 feet) high was moving south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying larger waves could occur.
Damage and evacuations were reported in Russian regions closest to the earthquake's epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Authorities in several small island nations in the South Pacific urged residents to stay away from the coast, familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, and await further instructions from authorities, but did not impose mandatory evacuation measures.
Some of the Pacific Ocean's small, low-lying island chains are among the most vulnerable to tsunamis and rising sea levels in the world. Authorities in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands urged people to avoid beaches until the tsunami passed Wednesday evening.
Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said nearly 2 million residents in more than 220 municipalities along the Pacific coast were under evacuation advisories as of midday Wednesday. One person was also reported to have suffered minor injuries on the northern island of Hokkaido when a woman in her 60s fell while trying to evacuate. She was taken to a hospital.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which lies between Japan and Hawaii, showed the tsunami waves were 1.8 metres (6 feet) high from peak to trough. He added that the waves hitting Hawaii could be larger or smaller, and it was too early to tell how big they would be. He said a tsunami that size would be comparable to a 3-foot (90-centimeter) wave crashing onto the shore.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the route between Japan and Hawaii, showed tsunami waves measuring 6 feet (1.8 meters) from peak to trough.
At a news conference, he noted that a wave of that size could move cars and destroy fences. “It could knock down trees, so it’s not safe to be on the beach. It hits at a tremendous speed,” Green said. “Any weak structure that falls on a person could knock them down. And with a wave that strong, people could easily drown.”
Green also said Black Hawk helicopters were on standby and rescue vehicles were ready to fly if authorities needed help. “But please don't put yourself in danger,” he said.
The small town of Crescent City in Northern California has activated tsunami warning sirens to warn residents of possible waves.
“You are hearing a tsunami siren. We are issuing a tsunami warning. Please stay away from beaches and bodies of water. The expected wave may hit at 11:55 p.m. We are awaiting further information on possible evacuation levels,” the mayor's office said in a Facebook post. The city, located in rural Northern California, has a population of about 6,000.
The 1964 tsunami, triggered by an earthquake in Alaska, sent waves 21 feet (6.4 meters) high crashing into the city, killing 11 people and completely destroying the downtown area. Long lines formed at gas stations in downtown Honolulu, and traffic was paralyzed even in areas far from the coastline.
The Texaco gas station in Nuuanu Punchbowl closed early to allow employees to go home. Workers lined up gas tanks at the pumps and kept motorists away.
Jimmy Markowski, who was vacationing with his family in Hot Springs, Arkansas, found himself at a closed Texaco station after
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
