TOKYO (AP) — One of the world’s strongest earthquakes struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude temblor that caused a tsunami in the northern Pacific region and prompted warnings for Alaska, Hawaii and other coasts south toward New Zealand. Several locations advised evacuations, but no major injuries have been reported.
Cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu as the tsunami alerts coincided with the Tuesday afternoon rush-hour. Warning sirens blared as people moved to higher ground. Hawaii schools canceled after-school and evening activities.
Following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, a 50-centimeter (1.6-foot) tsunami wave was recorded at Ishinomaki port in northern Japan, the highest reported so far by the Japan Meteorological Agency. This measurement is part of the wider Pacific tsunami impacting areas including Hawaii and Alaska
The Russian areas nearest the quake’s epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula reported damage and evacuations, but no serious injuries.
Following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii. Coastal damage is possible across all Hawaiian islands. Urgent action is advised to ensure the safety of lives and property
Urgent Tsunami Warning: 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Triggers Evacuation Orders in Hawaii and Pacific Rim. First waves expected around 7 p.m. Tuesday local time, prompting immediate action to protect lives and property
Oregon Coast Tsunami Advisory: Minor tsunami waves (1-2 feet) expected around 11:40 PM. Stay away from beaches, harbors, and marinas until the advisory is lifted. Seek higher ground and remain in a safe location
While not a major tsunami, dangerous currents and strong waves threaten coastal areas. Exercise caution near the water
Powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami warnings across the Pacific, impacting Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of the West Coast including British Columbia, Washington state, and California. Evacuations were advised in several areas, prompting widespread traffic and school closures
Powerful 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia's Far East, Triggering Pacific-Wide Tsunami Warnings. Initial reports indicated an 8.0 magnitude quake, later revised by the USGS to 8.8, striking at a depth of 20.7 kilometers (13 miles). The resulting tsunami prompted evacuations and warnings across the Pacific, impacting areas from Alaska and Hawaii to New Zealand
Powerful 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Kamchatka Peninsula, Triggering Tsunami Warnings. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, struck 119 kilometers (74 miles) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii and Alaska. Aftershocks as powerful as 6.9 magnitude were also reported. Evacuations were ordered in several areas, though major injuries have not yet been reported
The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko. He said residents were safe and staying on high ground until the threat of a repeat wave was gone.
Powerful 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia's Far East: Tsunami Warnings Issued, Minor Injuries Reported. A major earthquake near Kamchatka caused damage to buildings and infrastructure in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, resulting in power outages and mobile phone service disruptions. While several people sought medical attention, thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific, impacting areas including Hawaii, Alaska, and Japan
Powerful 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia, Triggering Pacific Tsunami Warnings: One of the strongest earthquakes globally since the 2011 Japan earthquake caused a tsunami impacting the northern Pacific, prompting warnings and evacuations across Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand. The quake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, surpasses most recorded earthquakes in recent history
Japan's Transportation Systems Disrupted by Tsunami Warning Following Powerful Earthquake. Ferry services between Hokkaido and Aomori, as well as Tokyo and nearby islands, were suspended. Train operations faced delays and suspensions across several lines. Sendai Airport temporarily closed its runway due to the tsunami alert triggered by the massive earthquake in the Russian Far East
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said so far no injuries or damages have been reported. The agency, in response to the tsunami alert, issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 residents in 133 municipalities along Japan’s Pacific coast, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The number of people who actually took shelter was not available.
Following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia, Japanese nuclear plants, including the Fukushima Daiichi plant, report no abnormalities. TEPCO confirms approximately 4,000 workers are safely monitoring the Fukushima facility from higher ground, ensuring continued plant safety
Philippines Issues Tsunami Advisory: Minor Waves Threaten Eastern Coast. Following a powerful earthquake, Philippine authorities warn of potential tsunami waves under 1 meter (3 feet) along the eastern Pacific coastline. Residents are urged to avoid beaches and coastal areas due to the prolonged risk posed by these smaller, yet potentially dangerous, waves
New Zealand authorities issued warnings of “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” along coastlines throughout the country. The government emergency management agency said people should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas, and away from harbors, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
New Zealand is in the South Pacific and about 6,000 miles (9,600 kilometers) from the epicenter.
The quake was the strongest to hit this area in the Kamchatka Peninsula since 1952, according to the local branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
They said that while the situation “was under control” there are risks of aftershocks, which could last for up to a month and warned against visiting certain coastal areas.
Earlier in July, five powerful quakes — the largest with a magnitude of 7.4 — struck in the sea near Kamchatka. The largest quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers and was 144 kilometers (89 miles) east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
On Nov. 4, 1952, a magnitude 9.0 quake in Kamchatka caused damage but no reported deaths despite setting off 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii.
Check the National Tsunami Warning Center for the latest advisories.
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This story has corrected the wave height forecast in Oregon to between 1 and 2 feet, not 1 and 3 feet.
Source: Original Article