Japan and Hawaii issue tsunami evacuation orders after magnitude-8.7 earthquake off Russia – live updates | Earthquakes
Japan reportedly orders evacuations
Japan has ordered immediate evacuations for parts of the country, saying tsunami waves are approaching the coasts, NHK reports.
Tsunami warnings are in effect for a major stretch of Japan’s eastern Pacific coast, from Hokkaido’s eastern Pacific coast down to Wakayama Prefecture.
Key events
This USGS map shows the spreading tsunami warnings, advisories, watches and threats as concern spreads across the Pacific.
Gavin Blair
The first waves to hit Nemuro-Hanasaki Port in Hokkaido, Japan are estimated to have a height of 30cm, according to public broadcaster NHK.
People in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture and Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, two of the cities that suffered the worst devastation from the 2011 tsunami, have evacuated to the same safe spots on higher ground used by survivors of that disaster, also per NHK.
Eva Corlett
New Zealand warns of strong currents and surges after earthquake
New Zealand can expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore, following an earthquake off the coast of Russia, New Zealand’s national emergency management agency (NEMA) has warned. NEMA said:
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.
People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
Most of the country’s coastline is under threat, NEMA said, however there was no need for anyone to evacuate unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities.
The surges are expected to reach New Zealand around midnight local time.
Tsunami sirens blaring in Honolulu
Tsunami warning sirens are blaring in Honolulu, AP reports. People are being told to move to higher ground, or go to the 4th floor or above in a building at least 10 storeys high.
Bryan Manabat, a reporter in Saipan, says residents are closely monitoring the tsunami watch announcement. Saipan is the largest island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, with a population of around 43,000 people.
Manabat says after the passing of a tropical storm recently, shorelines in Saipan have seen heavy soil erosion. He says some Saipan residents living near the shoreline in Beach Road, Garapan, plan to evacuate to higher ground now and just wait for an all clear notice from authorities.
Authorities say the potential impacts of tsunami waves could be minor flooding of beach and harbour areas: strong and unusual ocean currents in bays and near other shore waters. Manabat says tsunami drills by emergency authorities have been held regularly in Saipan in recent years.
A bit more detail from reporter Mar-Vic Cagurangan in Guam – residents have been told to “remain out of the water”. They have been told to move away from beaches and harbours, at least 100 feet inland and 50 feet above sea level.
Ecuador among the countries that could be hit by tsunami
Ecuador is now among the countries that could be hit by tsunami waves from a huge earthquake off the coast of Russia, the US Tsunami Warning Center said Tuesday.
Ecuador in South America and the east coast of Russia could be struck by waves of more than three meters (10 feet) triggered by the 8.7 magnitude earthquake, the center said.
More strong quakes recorded off Russian coastline
At least six earthquakes have now hit off the coast of Kamchatka today, the USGS says. They have all been strong with initial readings of magnitude 6.9, 6.3, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.6. But they do not compare to the massive, magnitude 8.7 temblor that set off a tsunami.
Gavin Blair
To provide information to Japan’s growing foreign-born population, public broadcaster NHK is delivering updates in its television coverage in multiple languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog (for Filipinos), accompanied by graphics, as well as in sign language.
The broadcasts including warnings that even a tsunami of 50cm can be strong enough to sweep a person away.
Hawaii officials order evacuation of coastal areas around Honolulu
Officials in Hawaii have ordered an immediate evacuation of large parts of the coastline of Oahu, including coastal areas of Honolulu.
A full map of the Oahu evacuation zones is here.
Gavin Blair
Japan’s evacuation warnings span hundreds of kilometres, with official urging those near the coast to seek safety
Yoshimasa Hayashi, chief cabinet secretary, said:
Those near the coast should evacuate immediately to higher ground or safe buildings in the areas covered by the tsunami warning from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture [hundreds of kilometres to the south]. Please be aware that after the initial wave, second and third waves of tsunamis can be even higher.
Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii
A tsunami warning has been issued for the state of Hawaii. Officials say it could cause “damage along coastlines of all islands in the state”, warning “urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property”. The US Tsunami Warning System said:
The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest.
The alert for Guam has now been updated to a tsunami advisory, per the USGS.
A map of the region where the earthquake struck
Reporter Mar-Vic Cagurangan in Guam said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has put a “tsunami watch” in effect for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan from this earthquake is still being evaluated, it said.
In a statement, the Center advised people to “stay alert” for further information and the tsunami watch could be cancelled or elevated to an advisory or warning. If a tsunami threat exists, the earliest estimated arrival time of tsunami waves within Guam, Rota, Tinian, or Saipan, would be 2:37 p.m. local time, it said.