This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8540742.stm

The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Tsunami spreads through Pacific Japan on alert for tsunami waves
(about 5 hours later)
Nations around the Pacific Ocean have been pounded by tsunami waves triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake in central Chile. A tsunami more than one metre (3 feet) high has hit Japan's northern Pacific coast, nearly 24 hours after the powerful earthquake in Chile.
Japan is the latest country to issue a warning, with waves of up to 3m (9ft) predicted, and authorities have ordered the evacuation of 10,000 people. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from coastal amid predictions that waves up to 3m high could strike.
But in most areas the danger is thought to have passed. Other Pacific nations have been hit by waves, but in most areas the danger is thought to have passed.
There were few reports of major damage, but there were at least five deaths in Chile's Juan Fernandez island group. In Chile, the town of Talcahuano was badly damaged while five people were killed on the Juan Fernandez islands.
The southern Chilean port of Talcahuano is also thought to have been badly hit. Fishing boats there were thrown out of the water in Talcahuano, and port facilities were damaged by a wave that US scientists said was 2.34m high.
Fishing boats there were thrown out of the water and port facilities damaged. The town lies about 115km (70 miles) south-west of the epicentre of Saturday's powerful earthquake.
Warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. Large waves struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area and killing five people. Several more are missing.
Nations and regions affected by the Pacific "Ring of Fire" all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami following the earthquake, which struck at 0634 GMT. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way.
Ordinary stormy day Well prepared
The first tsunami waves have reached Japan but are reported to be just 10cm high. Warning systems across the Pacific have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people.
Officials have warned that higher waves could follow and the alert remains in place. Nations and regions affected by the Pacific "Ring of Fire" all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami following the earthquake, which struck on Saturday at 0634 GMT.
Residents of south-eastern Philippines took shelter after warnings
The first tsunami waves to reach Japan were reported to be just 10cm high, with a wave of 90cm following.
Officials have warned that higher waves could follow and the warning remains in place.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says Japan has experienced many earthquakes of its own and is well prepared for disasters.The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says Japan has experienced many earthquakes of its own and is well prepared for disasters.
More than 300,000 people in areas at risk were ordered to move to higher ground, train services running along the coast were suspended and steel gates across fishing harbours were shut.
In 1960 about 140 people were killed by a tsunami in Japan after a major earthquake in Chile.In 1960 about 140 people were killed by a tsunami in Japan after a major earthquake in Chile.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had warned of "widespread damage" following Saturday's quake, but later said waves were not as high as predicted. Thousands of people also left coastal areas of the Philippines after warnings of a possible tsunami were spread by text message.
A warning was issued in Hawaii for a possible tsunami The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had warned of "widespread damage" across the region following Saturday's quake, but later said waves were not as high as predicted.
A geophysicist at the centre, Gerard Fryer, told the BBC that the tsunami's impact was small because the earthquake occurred in shallow water.A geophysicist at the centre, Gerard Fryer, told the BBC that the tsunami's impact was small because the earthquake occurred in shallow water.
The earthquake was "big enough to do significant damage, but not big enough to do anything large in the far field", he said.The earthquake was "big enough to do significant damage, but not big enough to do anything large in the far field", he said.
However, large waves struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area and killing five people. Several more are missing. 'Ordinary stormy day'
Two aid ships are reported to be on their way. Part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia were hit by a 4m (13ft) wave, but no casualties were reported.
Part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia were hit by a 4m (13ft) wave, but no casualties were reported, AFP news agency said. In Tahiti, the tsunami waves were smaller, causing little damage.
In Tahiti, traffic was banned on roads less than 500m from sea, and residents on low-lying land were told to get to higher ground, but the first tsunami waves were smaller there, measuring only 36cm.
New Zealand warned waves up to 3m could hit the main North and South Islands plus outlying islands, but there were no reports of casualties or major damage.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the wavesThe Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the waves
New Zealand's Chatham Islands were hit by a wave of 1.5m and areas along the main North and South Islands experienced small surges with no reports of casualties or serious damage.
The tsunami warning has been downgraded there but the emergency management department spokesman said there could still be waves of up to 3m.
Sirens were sounded in Hawaii to alert residents to the tsunami threat several hours before waves were expected.Sirens were sounded in Hawaii to alert residents to the tsunami threat several hours before waves were expected.
The first waves hit about 2200 GMT, after water began moving away from the shore at Hilo Bay on the Big Island before returning. The first waves hit about 2200 GMT on Saturday, after water began moving away from the shore at Hilo Bay on the Big Island before returning.
But correspondents say that, although 8ft (2.5m) waves had been predicted, the islands experienced nothing noticeably different from an ordinary stormy day.But correspondents say that, although 8ft (2.5m) waves had been predicted, the islands experienced nothing noticeably different from an ordinary stormy day.
Hawaiian officials later lifted the tsunami warning.Hawaiian officials later lifted the tsunami warning.
Australian officials warned of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" from Sydney to Brisbane. Despite Australian warnings of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" on the east coast, swimmers and surfers flocked to Sydney's Bondi beach.
Are you in one of the areas at risk from a tsunami? What are your experiences? Send us your comments, pictures and videos.Are you in one of the areas at risk from a tsunami? What are your experiences? Send us your comments, pictures and videos.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions