Topline
The tsunami waves hit Pacific coastlines across Japan, Hawaii and parts of California early on Wednesday, as authorities urged residents to evacuate these areas and seek higher ground, hours after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
A man checking his smartphone walks along a screen broadcasting televised information on an alert … More
Key Facts
The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning that covered the entirety of the country’s eastern seaboard.
Tsunami waves measuring nearly 2 feet (60 centimeters) were recorded in the coastal town of Kuji in eastern Japan, while waves measuring 1.6 feet (50 cm) were reported in the port city of Ishinomaki, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced he has signed an emergency proclamation and urged people living in coastal areas to “move inland and to higher ground immediately…Do not wait.”
The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said the first tsunami waves began “impacting Hawaii” at around 8:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
In a press conference, Green said no “wave of consequence” or damage have been seen so far, but officials warned that the waves could get larger over the next few hours.
The National Weather Service also noted that tsunami waves have been detected along the coasts of California, warning that the roughly 5 feet high waves detected in the graphs only show the “observed arrival of the initial tsunami wave, NOT the peak magnitude.”
A tsunami warning is in effect the coastal area along the Oregon-California border including Cape Mendocino, California.
Tsunami watches and advisories are in effect all across the U.S. West Coast, but the National Weather Service issued a warning, saying: “Tsunami is a series of wave carrying a large extra mass of water to our coast. This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos.”
Russian state media reported flooding caused in tsunami waves in parts of Kuril Islands in the country’s far east region—which is also a disputed territory claimed by Japan.
This screen shot shows a tsunami alert on a mobile photo in Honolulu.
What Do We Know About The Situation In Hawaii?
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s latest update, the initial waves that hit Hawaii ranged between 0.4 and 4 feet. The updated noted that tsunami is a series of waves and “The danger may persist for many more hours as waves activity continues. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands so all shores are at risk no matter which direction they face.” In a press conference, the Hawaii Governor said the first tsunami wave that passed through Midway Atoll, which is located around 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu, measured 6 feet “from peak to trough.” Green said a tsunami of that size would be like a “three-foot wave riding on top of the ocean,” although the waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller. A wave of that size could cause people to drown, move cars and throw fences around, he added. Green then warned residents: “You need to expect that there will be flooding on the islands and it will be imminent after the wave hits,” as he urged them to heed evacuation orders immediately. An earlier forecast by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, the tsunami waves could reach as high as 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of Northwestern Hawaii. Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said the “Initial effects of tsunami waves are expected to occur on the Kauai coast, with effects to Hawai’i Island beginning 20-30 minutes later. These massive waves can wrap around the island shore, so impacts may occur at any point along the coast.” The state’s Department of Transportation noted that all flight from Kahului International Airport have been cancelled and passengers are sheltering in the terminal.
What Do We Know About The Situation In Japan?
The Tsunami warnings in Japan covered its entire Pacific Coast. “Tsunamis can strike repeatedly over a long period of time. The waves that come after the first one may be larger, so it is important to continue evacuating until the tsunami warning or advisory is lifted,” the Japanese Meteorological Agency said. In response to the tsunami alert, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued an evacuation advisory that covered more than 1.9 million people across 21 prefectures across the country.
What Do We Know About The Earthquake In Russia And Its Aftermath?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the the powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was located just off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. The is no official word on the number of casualties from the quake, but state media reported that around 2,700 were evacuated from the Kuril Islands in Russia’s far east due to a tsunami threat.
Crucial Quote
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump wrote: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii…STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
Further Reading
Tsunami Reaches Hawaii and California After Biggest Quake Since 2011 (New York Times)
Tsunami warning issued for Japan’s Pacific coast, 1.3-meter wave observed (NHK)