This shows an empty beach in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan after beachgoers evacuated as a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (AP)
Tsunami News LIVE Updates: In recent hours, Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan have downgraded tsunami warnings, though advisories remain in place for Japan and Hawaii. Meanwhile, French Polynesian authorities have issued a warning for a potential 4-meter wave on Nuku Hiva island, however authorities now say that the waves are smaller than expected. The earthquake also triggered a volcano eruption in Russia. While the earthquake has been one of the most powerful on record, fatalities and infrastructure damage remains relatively low.
US impact: Tsunami waves continued along the US West Coast, moving southward. Crescent City in northern California recorded waves of up to 1.09 meters, while San Francisco saw tidal surges of 0.7 meters. In Port San Luis, the Los Angeles weather service warned of a “rapid and damaging surge.” In Hawaii, waves up to 1.2 meters hit Oahu and 1.7 meters struck Maui, prompting thousands to flee to higher ground. Governor Josh Green warned, “It is not a regular wave. It will actually kill you.” Hours later, he said no major waves had been seen. The tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory, signalling possible strong currents and minor flooding, but no major threat.
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All about the earthquake: The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific struck along a “megathrust fault,” where the dense Pacific Plate is being forced beneath the lighter North American Plate, scientists said. The Pacific Plate has been actively shifting, making the region near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula—where the quake hit—particularly prone to powerful tremors. Scientists warned that larger aftershocks could still occur. It is one of the 10 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, the US Geological Survey said. However there have been no initial reports of severe damage or injury.
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