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| Japan on alert for tsunami waves | Japan on alert for tsunami waves |
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| 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. | 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. |
| More than 200,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas amid predictions that waves up to 3m high could strike. | |
| Other Pacific nations have been hit by waves, 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. |
| In Chile, the town of Talcahuano was badly damaged while five people were killed on the Juan Fernandez islands. | In Chile, the town of Talcahuano was badly damaged while five people were killed on the Juan Fernandez islands. |
| 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 in Talcahuano, and port facilities were damaged by a wave that US scientists said was 2.34m high. |
| The town lies about 115km (70 miles) south-west of the epicentre of Saturday's powerful earthquake. | The town lies about 115km (70 miles) south-west of the epicentre of Saturday's powerful earthquake. |
| Large waves struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area and killing five people. Several more are missing. | Large waves struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area and killing five people. Several more are missing. |
| Two aid ships are reported to be on their way. | Two aid ships are reported to be on their way. |
| Well prepared | Well prepared |
| Warning systems across the Pacific have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. | Warning systems across the Pacific have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. |
| 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Thousands of people also left coastal areas of the Philippines after warnings of a possible tsunami were spread by text message. | Thousands of people also left coastal areas of the Philippines after warnings of a possible tsunami were spread by text message. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Ordinary stormy day' | 'Ordinary stormy day' |
| 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. |
| In Tahiti, the tsunami waves were smaller, causing little damage. | In Tahiti, the tsunami waves were smaller, causing little damage. |
| The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the waves | The 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. | 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. | 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 on Saturday, 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
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| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & 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 & Conditions |