A major earthquake has today hit off the coast of the Russia’s far east, with a tsunami warning in place for Japan, Hawaii, the US West Coast and other Pacific nations
The Foreign Office has revised its travel guidance for 15 countries following a significant earthquake off the coast of Russia’s far east. The quake, measuring a staggering 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Currently, warnings are in place for Japan, Hawaii, the US West Coast and other Pacific nations, with areas being urged to evacuate and seek higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has indicated that waves of 1-3m (3-10ft) above tide level could hit some coastal regions of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands.
Japan has issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves as high as 3m along extensive coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a tsunami of approximately 60cm at Hamanaka on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate on the main island, an increase from an earlier tsunami of 40cm.
The full list of warnings is:
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Kiribati
- French Polynesia
- USA
- Peru
- Samoa
- Japan
- Solomon Islands
- Ecuador
- Russia
- New Zealand
- Tonga
- China
- Taiwan
Nearly two million individuals have been given evacuation advisories in over 220 municipalities along Japan’s Pacific coast, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Tsunamis are colossal waves triggered by undersea earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. In the deep ocean, tsunami waves do not significantly increase in height, reports the Liverpool Echo.
However, as they move inland, they grow taller as the ocean depth decreases. The speed of tsunami waves is determined by the depth of the ocean, not the distance from the wave’s source.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources’ Tsunami Warning Centre has sounded the alarm for parts of the country’s eastern seaboard near Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces, already on high alert due to Typhoon CoMay, which is anticipated to make landfall in Zhejiang province on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump took to social media, stating: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” In response to the threat, the US tsunami warning system has issued advisories for California, Oregon, and Washington states.
US news outlets are reporting that waters are retreating from some Hawaiian shores, a phenomenon often preceding larger tsunami waves. Hawaiians have been instructed to “AVOID THE AREA” and keep clear of coastal zones.
Hawaii’s civil defence is preparing for the initial impact of the tsunami waves, expected to reach the Kauai coast first.
The UK Foreign Office has released a statement saying: “An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.7 has struck the eastern coast of Russia in the Kamchatka Peninsula region. A tsunami threat message has been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
“If you are in the affected areas potentially affected by the earthquake or tsunami you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”
This is the stern guidance issued by the government, which also cautions that disregarding advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office could render your travel insurance void. The department has broadcasted this crucial message to several countries:.
The US Geological Survey has ranked the quake at a staggering magnitude 8.8, placing it on par as the sixth most powerful in recorded history, alongside the 2010 tremor in Biobío, Chile, and the 1906 disaster in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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By staronline@reachplc.com (Courtney Eales, Adam Cailler)
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