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| Tsunami spreads through Pacific | Tsunami spreads through Pacific |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Nations around the Pacific Ocean are on full alert as a tsunami triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake in central Chile brings higher than normal waves. | Nations around the Pacific Ocean are on full alert as a tsunami triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake in central Chile brings higher than normal waves. |
| Tsunami warnings have been sounded in an area affecting about a quarter of the globe. At least five deaths were reported in one Chilean island group. | Tsunami warnings have been sounded in an area affecting about a quarter of the globe. At least five deaths were reported in one Chilean island group. |
| Waves are spreading from the epicentre and striking land across the region. | Waves are spreading from the epicentre and striking land across the region. |
| Warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. | Warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. |
| Nations and regions affected by the Pacific "Rim of Fire" have all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami. | Nations and regions affected by the Pacific "Rim of Fire" have all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami. |
| 'Urgent action' | 'Urgent action' |
| The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there may be "widespread damage" from high waves. | The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there may be "widespread damage" from high waves. |
| A warning was issued in Hawaii for a possible tsunami | A warning was issued in Hawaii for a possible tsunami |
| "Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this threat," it said. | "Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this threat," it said. |
| Large waves are reported to have struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area and killing five people. Several more are missing. | Large waves are reported to have 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. |
| Part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia were hit by a 4m (13ft) wave, but no casualties were reported, AFP news agency said. | Part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia were hit by a 4m (13ft) wave, but no casualties were reported, AFP news agency said. |
| It has been difficult to estimate the possible wave heights of any tsunami - the waves may not arrive at all or could be as high as 10 metres above normal sea level. | It has been difficult to estimate the possible wave heights of any tsunami - the waves may not arrive at all or could be as high as 10 metres above normal sea level. |
| 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. | 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 has warned waves up to 3m could hit the main North and South Islands plus outlying islands. | New Zealand has warned waves up to 3m could hit the main North and South Islands plus outlying islands. |
| Waves measuring 20cm hit the Chatham Islands, about 400 miles from the mainland, about 1905 GMT, but the Ministry of Civil Defence warned that "the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals." | Waves measuring 20cm hit the Chatham Islands, about 400 miles from the mainland, about 1905 GMT, but the Ministry of Civil Defence warned that "the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals." |
| The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the waves | The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii was monitoring the waves |
| American Samoa has urged residents to seek shelter, calling on coastal villagers to seek higher ground. | American Samoa has urged residents to seek shelter, calling on coastal villagers to seek higher ground. |
| 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, 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 have been predicted, so far the islands have experienced nothing noticeably different from an ordinary stormy day. | |
| Strong currents | Strong currents |
| John Cummings, Oahu civil defence spokesman, said: "Get off the shoreline. We are closing all the beaches and telling people to drive out of the area." | John Cummings, Oahu civil defence spokesman, said: "Get off the shoreline. We are closing all the beaches and telling people to drive out of the area." |
| Australian officials warned of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" from Sydney to Brisbane. | Australian officials warned of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" from Sydney to Brisbane. |
| Japan may be hit at 0300 GMT on Sunday, the country's meteorological agency said, calling for people to be fully alert. | Japan may be hit at 0300 GMT on Sunday, the country's meteorological agency said, calling for people to be fully alert. |
| California has also warned its coastal cities to prepare for possible tsunami waves, the first strike possibly around San Diego. | California has also warned its coastal cities to prepare for possible tsunami waves, the first strike possibly around San Diego. |
| The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu could also all be at risk. | The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu could also all be at risk. |