by Tokyo (AP) Early on Wednesday, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded occurred in Russia’s Far East, causing tsunami waves to travel across the Pacific to Japan and Hawaii. Although there hasn’t been any significant damage reported yet, authorities cautioned that the risk might persist for more than a day and advised residents to stay away from shorelines.
As populations fled inland, ports on the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula near the epicenter of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake flooded, while white, foamy waves rushed up to the shore in northern Japan. Even in places far from the coast, traffic was at a halt as cars clogged the capital city of Hawaii’s streets and highways.
Reminiscent of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that resulted in reactor meltdowns at a nuclear power plant, people traveled to evacuation centers in impacted areas of Japan. On Wednesday, there were no recorded anomalies in the nuclear plants in Japan.
Russian officials reported multiple injuries but did not provide an exact number. At least one person was hurt in Japan.
Up to 1.4 feet (less than 30 cm) above tidal levels were seen in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, 60 centimeters (2 feet) above the sea level on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, and 3–4 meters (10–13 feet) above sea level in Kamchatka.
Hawaii and Oregon warn residents of potential damage
According to Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator of the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, the tsunami’s effects might linger for hours or perhaps longer than a day.
According to him, a tsunami is not a single wave. It’s a sequence of strong waves that last for a long time. As swift as a jet plane in deep water, tsunamis can travel hundreds of miles per hour over the ocean. However, they slow down and begin to pile up as they approach the coast. And that’s where the issue of flooding becomes somewhat more feasible.
In this instance, he added, certain communities may experience the consequences for a longer period of time because the Earth is essentially putting out these enormous water waves over the ocean, which will be flowing back and forth for a while.
Data from Midway Atoll, which lies between Hawaii and Japan, showed waves measuring 6 feet (1.8 meters) from peak to trough, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green. He stated that it was too early to predict the size of the waves that would impact Hawaii and that they may be larger or lesser. According to him, a tsunami of that magnitude would resemble a 3-foot (90-centimeter) wave riding above surf.
According to him, during a press conference, this is a powerful longitudinal wave that is pushing across the coastline and onto land.
According to Green, high-water vehicles were prepared to go and Black Hawk helicopters had been engaged in case authorities needed to rescue anyone. However, he advised not to put yourself in danger.
Beginning at approximately 11:40 p.m. local time, modest tsunami waves with a height of one to two feet (30 to 60 centimeters) were predicted to hit the shore, according to a Facebook post from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Until the caution is revoked, it advised people to avoid beaches, harbors, and marinas and to stay in a secure area away from the coast.
Although this is not a large tsunami, the agency warned that those near the water could be at risk from high waves and hazardous currents.
A tsunami warning was also in effect for a large portion of the West Coast, which includes California, Washington state, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
It was predicted that portions of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island will be struck by a tsunami that was less than 30 cm (less than one foot). Waves were predicted to arrive in Tofino around 11:30 p.m. and distant Langara Island at 10:05 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the province’s emergency preparedness department. According to the organization, several waves were anticipated over time.
Russian regions report limited damage
According to Japanese and American seismologists, the earthquake, which struck at 8:25 a.m. Japan time, had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0. Its strength was later revised by the U.S. Geological Survey to 8.8 magnitude and 20.7 kilometers (13 miles) in depth.
The center of the earthquake was around 119 kilometers (74 miles) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a 180,000-person city on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. There were several aftershocks with magnitudes as high as 6.9.
According to Alexander Ovsyannikov, mayor of Severokurilsk, tsunami waves swamped the city’s harbor, washing fishing boats out to sea. No significant damage was noted, he said.
Following the flooding, authorities checked the power network and switched off power supply.
Among the world s strongest recorded quakes
Since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 that triggered meltdowns at a nuclear power facility and generated a devastating tsunami, the earthquake seemed to be the strongest anywhere in the world. Globally, only a small number of more powerful earthquakes have ever been recorded.
Ferries, trains, and airports in the impacted area suspended or postponed some operations as a result of the tsunami alert, which caused transportation disruptions throughout Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that a 60-centimeter (2-foot) tsunami was recorded at Kuji port in Iwate and Hamanaka town in Hokkaido. Five hours after the earthquake, smaller waves of 20 centimeters (8 inches) were reported in Tokyo Bay, among other places.
Dozens of inhabitants of Matsushima, a seaside town in northern Japan, sought shelter inside an evacuation center with air conditioning and water bottles. One lady told NHK that after learning from the 2011 tsunami, she visited the facility without hesitation.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary for Japan, cautioned evacuees that if the tsunami waves continue to be high, they might not be able to return home by the end of the day.
No anomalies were recorded by nuclear power reactors in Japan. About 4,000 workers are seeking refuge on higher ground at the plant complex while being monitored remotely to ensure their safety, according to the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, which was damaged by the 2011 tsunami.
Authorities in the Philippines warned residents to avoid the beach and coastal areas. Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology told The Associated Press that although these waves may not be the biggest, they might last for hours and endanger swimmers.
The Mexican Navy issued a warning that tsunami waves could move along the Pacific coast to Chiapas state at approximately 07:15 a.m. local time, after beginning to reach the northern coast at Ensenada, close to California, at approximately 02:22 a.m. Wednesday local time.
Authorities in the South Pacific island nation of New Zealand issued warnings about strong, unexpected currents and erratic surges along all of its shores. People should avoid the water, beaches, harbors, marinas, rivers, and estuaries, according to the emergency management organization.
In the Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, people were advised to avoid the coasts until any wave surges passed late Wednesday.
A number of small, low-lying Pacific island chains are among the most vulnerable in the world to tsunamis and sea level rise brought on by climate change.
Five strong earthquakes, the greatest of which had a magnitude of 7.4, occurred in the sea close to Kamchatka earlier in July. The biggest earthquake was located 144 kilometers (89 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and had a depth of 20 kilometers.
