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Tsunami warning sparks evacuations in Japan and US after powerful Russia earthquake Tsunami warning sparks evacuations in Japan and US after powerful Russia earthquake
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: Major earthquake off Russia triggers widespread tsunami warningsWatch: Major earthquake off Russia triggers widespread tsunami warnings
A powerful earthquake off the coast of Russia has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, prompting emergency evacuations in Russia's far-east, northern Japan, Hawaii and the US west coast. A powerful earthquake off the coast of Russia has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, prompting emergency evacuations from Russia's far-east to northern Japan, Hawaii and the US west coast.
The 8.8 magnitude quake struck near Russia's far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula at 11:25 local time on Wednesday (23:00 GMT on Tuesday).The 8.8 magnitude quake struck near Russia's far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula at 11:25 local time on Wednesday (23:00 GMT on Tuesday).
It is one of the 10 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, the US Geological Survey said. However there have been no initial reports of severe damage or injury.It is one of the 10 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, the US Geological Survey said. However there have been no initial reports of severe damage or injury.
In Hawaii, where thousands of people along the coast fled for higher ground, the warnings were downgraded, and residents were allowed to return home - although warned to remain cautious. Thousands of people in nations across the Pacific evacuated to higher ground, but in many regions, tsunami warnings have been downgraded.
In Russia, the tremor triggered tsunami waves of up to 5m (16ft) in some areas. Pictures showed waves surging through the port town of Severo-Kurilsk, home to around 2,000 people, but no serious injuries or damage has been reported. On the west coast of the United States, waves continue to roll through, however, heading south.
The Sakhalin region has declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril islands, where the power grid was shut down after it was damaged by the quake. Crescent City in northern California recorded waves of up to 1.09m (3.6ft), according to the National Tsunami Warning Centre.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described it as the most powerful earthquake the region has experienced in decades. At least six aftershocks have followed, including one measuring 6.9. Further south, there were tidal surges of up to 0.7m in San Francisco.
The tsunami impact has extended across the Pacific. And even further south, the Los Angeles weather service said that Port San Luis was seeing a "rapid and damaging surge, going from low to high tide".
In Japan, waves of up to 1.3m (4ft) were seen in the north-eastern Iwate prefecture, on the main island of Honshu. It prompted the government to issue evacuation orders to nearly two million people along the Pacific coast. In Hawaii, where thousands of people along the coast fled for higher ground, waves of 1.2m (4ft) hit Oahu, and even larger ones of 1.7m struck Maui.
Governor Josh Green did not hold back when he warned residents: "It is not a regular wave. It will actually kill you if you get hit by a tsunami."
However, a few hours later he reported that: "So far we have not seen a wave of consequence".
The tsunami warning for Hawaii was downgraded to an advisory level by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC), meaning there is the potential for strong waves, currents and minor flooding, but a major tsunami is no longer expected.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency director, Stephen Logan, said those evacuated may now return home but urged people to be careful, drive slowly, and watch for flooding.
In Russia, where the quake originated, tsunami waves of up to 5m (16ft) struck areas including Severo-Kurilsk, a port town of about 2,000 people. No major injuries or damage have been reported and officials have now lifted the tsunami warning for Kamchatka.
The Sakhalin region declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril islands, where the power grid was shut down after it was damaged by the quake.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described it as the most powerful earthquake the region has experienced in decades. At least six aftershocks followed, including one measuring 6.9.
In Japan, thousands were woken by tsunami sirens, with waves more than a metre high hitting the Pacific coast, particularly in Iwate prefecture where nearly two million people were told to evacuate.
Authorities have since downgraded the tsunami warning to advisory for many areas, spanning from the north of Tokyo down to Wakayama in the south-west.
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said there was no confirmation of any damage so far.Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said there was no confirmation of any damage so far.
At the embattled Fukushima nuclear plant, all 4,000 workers were evacuated, but the plant's operators said there were no "abnormalities" detected.At the embattled Fukushima nuclear plant, all 4,000 workers were evacuated, but the plant's operators said there were no "abnormalities" detected.
In March 2011, the plant was hit by a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, leading to a nuclear meltdown.In March 2011, the plant was hit by a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, leading to a nuclear meltdown.
Officials in Hawaii initially ordered an "immediate evacuation" of large parts the island of Oahu, including the state capital Honolulu.
Governor Josh Green told people in low-lying areas to stay calm and move to higher ground. Not holding back, he warned residents: "It is not a regular wave. It will actually kill you if you get hit by a tsunami."
Hours after the initial quake, waves of up to 1.2m (4ft) hit Oahu, and bigger ones of 5.7ft were recorded on Maui.
But two hours later the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) downgraded the tsunami warning for Hawaii to an advisory level. The advisory indicates that there is the potential for strong waves, minor flooding and strong currents - but a major tsunami is no longer expected.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency director, Stephen Logan, said those evacuated may now return home but advised residents to remain cautious, drive slowly, and watch for flooding.
On the US mainland, the PTWC also issued tsunami advisory for California, Oregon, Alaska and Washington.
The tsunami has reached the coast of California, the US National Weather Service reported, with waves at Arena Cove and Monterey, and rolling further south.
In Port San Luis, the Los Angeles weather service said there was a "rapid and damaging surge, going from low to high tide".
People take shelter at a temporary tsunami evacuation site in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in northern Japan
British Columbia, in Canada, has issued a tsunami advisory for most coastal areas, where residents have been told to avoid the ocean and await the all-clear.British Columbia, in Canada, has issued a tsunami advisory for most coastal areas, where residents have been told to avoid the ocean and await the all-clear.
In the South Pacific, tsunami threat alerts were issued for Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and coastal residents have been told to evacuate to higher ground. People take shelter at a temporary tsunami evacuation site in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in northern Japan
In China, authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, but that alert has now been lifted, with no reported damage. In French Polynesia, officials raised predicted wave heights for Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands to 4m, with smaller waves of just under a metre expected on surrounding islands.
Taiwan's tsunami warning, however, remains in place and coastal residents have been told to remain cautious. Tsunami alerts remain in place for Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and coastal residents have been told to evacuate to higher ground.
China's alert for Zhejiang Province and Shanghai has been lifted, with no reported damage. The Philippines has also cancelled its alerts.
Taiwan's advisory remains active.
Smaller tsunami wave activity between 1m-3m is possible along some coasts of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand and Tonga.Smaller tsunami wave activity between 1m-3m is possible along some coasts of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand and Tonga.
In Peru, officials have issued a tsunami warning and are keeping "constant surveillance" on the situation.In Peru, officials have issued a tsunami warning and are keeping "constant surveillance" on the situation.
The tsunami warning was triggered by a powerful earthquake which struck about 126km (78 miles) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of 18km, the United States Geological Survey reported.The tsunami warning was triggered by a powerful earthquake which struck about 126km (78 miles) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of 18km, the United States Geological Survey reported.
The agency said that the tremor was tied as the sixth most severe quake in history, with the 2010 earthquake in Biobío, Chile, and the 1906 earthquake in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.The agency said that the tremor was tied as the sixth most severe quake in history, with the 2010 earthquake in Biobío, Chile, and the 1906 earthquake in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
Hawaiians cram roads away from coasts as waves arriveHawaiians cram roads away from coasts as waves arrive
Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant evacuatedJapan's Fukushima nuclear plant evacuated
What we know as tsunami alerts issuedWhat we know as tsunami alerts issued
Are you in any of the affective areas? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch.Are you in any of the affective areas? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch.