This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/nov/21/japan-earthquake-tsunami-warning-live-updates

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Japan earthquake: 7.4 magnitude quake prompts tsunami warning – live updates Japan earthquake: 7.4 magnitude quake prompts tsunami warning – live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.16am GMT
00:16
Experts in Australia have been assessing today’s earthquake against the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami:
Professor James Goff, director of the Australia-Pacific tsunami research centre and natural hazards research laboratory, University of New South Wales, says:
In general, with the size of the earthquake experienced, I would not expect any wave to reach the heights of those experienced in 2011, but that does not mean that this event will not be damaging. Tsunamis as small as 90cm can be extremely damaging and so in a sense, we are ‘watching this space’…
One concern is not necessarily the size of the earthquake itself but whether or not it might generate submarine landslides that can themselves generate large tsunamis.
Associate professor Dale Dominey-Howes, disaster risk management expert at the University of Sydney, says:
Today’s event is much smaller than the 2011 catastrophic event. The earthquake maybe an aftershock of the 2011 event. It has affected the same region as the 2011 event.
A regional tsunami has been generated – smaller than 2011 but still potentially dangerous. People who live in the region have been advised to evacuate, with authorities taking no chances after the 2011 disaster.
Residents in the region are still struggling to recover from the 2011 event resulting in compound socio-psychological impacts on survivors. Aftershocks will continue in the region for days to weeks to come.
12.05am GMT
00:05
Tsunami update
A 1.4m-high tsunami wave has been observed in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, at 8.03am.
It’s the highest so far recorded, although officials stress that second and subsequent waves could be higher, and are still urging people in affected areas to move to higher ground.
Other high waves recorded include:
It’s currently 9am in Japan.
12.02am GMT
00:02
There have so far been reports of only minor injuries following the magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck just before 6am local time at a depth of 25km.
11.51pm GMT
23:51
Some photos from Kyodo, via Reuters, which are being circulated to news agencies. They show a traffic jam and concerned onlookers.
Updated
at 11.56pm GMT
11.51pm GMT
23:51
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has issued a statement:
I have ordered government officials to provide the public with up-to-date and accurate information concerning tsunami evacuation.
11.47pm GMT
23:47
Fukushima plant update
Tepco says the Fukushima power plant “remains intact” and safe.
The company confirms the reactor number 3 spent fuel pool pump tripped and stopped operating at 6.10am.
Operation resumed at 7.49am.
Tepco says the stoppage was caused by the tremor and “strong acceleration” at the power plant.
The quake also caused the temperature inside the reactor to increase to 29.5C from 28.7C over 90 minutes.
At 6.38am, the Fukushima Daichi and Daini plants had a tsunami wave about 1m high.
A second wave was “not very high”.
There have been no casualties at the Fukushima plant.
11.25pm GMT11.25pm GMT
23:2523:25
The Fukushima Daini reactor 3 cooling system, which had stopped operating, has been restored.The Fukushima Daini reactor 3 cooling system, which had stopped operating, has been restored.
The operator of the plant said no abnormalities have been observed.The operator of the plant said no abnormalities have been observed.
Power was temporarily lost for cooling water for a spent fuel pool at the Fukushima Daini plant, but has been restored, broadcaster NHK reports.Power was temporarily lost for cooling water for a spent fuel pool at the Fukushima Daini plant, but has been restored, broadcaster NHK reports.
11.19pm GMT11.19pm GMT
23:1923:19
New tsunami warning for Miyagi prefectureNew tsunami warning for Miyagi prefecture
A tsunami warning has now been issued for the Miyagi prefecture, expanding the zone believed to be under threat.A tsunami warning has now been issued for the Miyagi prefecture, expanding the zone believed to be under threat.
Residents are told to evacuate their homes for higher ground.Residents are told to evacuate their homes for higher ground.
11.13pm GMT11.13pm GMT
23:1323:13
Japan revises quake up to magnitude 7.4Japan revises quake up to magnitude 7.4
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is holding a news conference.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is holding a news conference.
It says the initial quake, recorded at 5.59am, has been revised up to magnitude 7.4.It says the initial quake, recorded at 5.59am, has been revised up to magnitude 7.4.
A tsunami alert has been issued, centring on Fukushima.A tsunami alert has been issued, centring on Fukushima.
There is also a warning that landslides may occur.There is also a warning that landslides may occur.
11.09pm GMT11.09pm GMT
23:0923:09
The tide level is still rising along the coast, with waves as high as 1m now reaching the shore.The tide level is still rising along the coast, with waves as high as 1m now reaching the shore.
Residents are being instructed to stay away from the water.Residents are being instructed to stay away from the water.
There are warnings that second and subsequent waves can be higher than the initial tsnuami waves.There are warnings that second and subsequent waves can be higher than the initial tsnuami waves.
11.03pm GMT11.03pm GMT
23:0323:03
Residents of Japan’s northern Pacific coast are still being told to leave their homes and seek higher ground via televised tsunami advisories:Residents of Japan’s northern Pacific coast are still being told to leave their homes and seek higher ground via televised tsunami advisories:
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.15pm GMTat 11.15pm GMT
10.59pm GMT
22:59
Fukishima cooling system has stopped operating
NHK reports from Fukishima that the Fukushima Daini Reactor 3 cooling system has stopped operating, but “no abnormalities have been observed”.
Tepco, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, says cooling water has not leaked and it is preparing to resume operation within one to two hours.
Broadcaster NHK reports that it does not seem tanks have been affected by the quake and the power plant buildings are above water level.
10.53pm GMT
22:53
Earthquakes are a familiar experience for Japan, as AFP details:
Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.
A massive undersea quake that hit in March 2011 sent a tsunami barrelling into Japan’s northeast coast, leaving more than 18,000 people dead or missing, and sending three reactors into meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
In April this year, two strong earthquakes hit southern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, followed by more than 1,700 aftershocks, leaving at least 50 dead and causing widespread damage.
10.45pm GMT
22:45
This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog coverage.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is currently in Peru, attending the Apec summit.
Speaking there, he said the government would do its utmost to respond to the quake.
10.38pm GMT
22:38
Tsunami's first waves smaller than expected
The first tsunami waves to reach the coast of Fukushima, Japan have ranged between 30 and 90cm, much lower than the three metres that was at first predicted.
However, Japanese media warn that the tsunami’s waves can increase over time as it continues to strike the coast.
10.36pm GMT
22:36
The coolant pool at one of the reactors at Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant, one of two in the region, has been turned off, according to NHK World. There is no danger at this time at the site of the plant, and there is plenty of time before the reactors get dangerously warm.
10.31pm GMT
22:31
Today’s tsunami will not be nearly as large as 2011’s disastrous wave, according to Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist and scientist emerita at the US Geological Survey.
Tsunami recorded near Fukushima from today's M7.3 quake. Mag=size of fault & this is much smaller than 3.11.11 https://t.co/XX4Q6ywEfw pic.twitter.com/uIlVQIk9am
Japanese officials are still urging people to evacuate the affected area.
10.20pm GMT
22:20
At Fukushima’s two nuclear power plants, Fukushima Daiichi and Fukishima Daini, external power sources and coolant water have not been affected so far by the earthquake, according to NHK World. “Now staff are watching closely to see any abnormalities.”
In this video you can see water rushing out of the harbor at Iwaki City. Water levels typically go down just before a tsunami strikes the shoreline.
Video from NHK live stream shows water rushing out of the harbor at Iwaki City in Japan just now. pic.twitter.com/O6vqjg27wz
Onohama Port is now reporting a tsunami height of 90cm, according to NHK World.
Updated
at 10.22pm GMT
10.12pm GMT
22:12
Tsunami waves begin to arrive along the Fukushima coast
Japanese broadcaster NHK world is reporting that waves are beginning to arrive. 60cm tsunami waves have been observed offshore, and the waves are expected to be as high as three metres when they reach the shoreline, NHK reports.
You can watch the live broadcast, which is being live-translated into English, here.
10.06pm GMT
22:06
This is the full text of the tsunami warning issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (note that the strength of the earthquake was at first reported to be 7.3 magnitude but was later downgraded to 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey).
#Tsunami warning issued by Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for 7.3 magnitude #Earthquake in Japan today#Fukushima pic.twitter.com/rQvxaE0ux1
Updated
at 10.27pm GMT
10.01pm GMT
22:01
A tsunami warning has been issued in Fukushima Prefecture after an earthquake struck off the East coast of Japan in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
#BREAKING -- Powerful M7.3 #earthquake hits #Japan coast off #Fukushima at 20:59 GMT. #Tsunami alert on. pic.twitter.com/31am5SzEwo
The earthquake measured 6.9 magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey. Japanese media are reporting that a tsunami as large as three metres high could be about to strike the coastline, and are urging everyone to evacuate coastal areas.
The evacuation warnings are urging residents to remember the “great earthquake” of 2011, which measured 9.1.
That earthquake and the tsunami that followed killed more than 15,000 people, injured more than 6,000 more, and left nearly quarter of a million people without homes, and also caused a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiishi nuclear power plant.
Updated
at 10.28pm GMT