A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, prompting significant tsunami warnings across various regions including Japan and several states in the western United States, such as Hawaii, Alaska, and California.
The seismic event has led to evacuation orders in both Hawaii and Japan. The U.S. Coast Guard has also mandated the evacuation of commercial vessels in harbors throughout Hawaii. Hawaiian Governor Josh Green expressed relief during a press conference, stating, “So far, Hawaii has not seen a wave of consequence.” He detailed that Hawaii recorded two waves at the Midway Atoll, one measuring 30 centimeters and another at 3 feet. Green emphasized that there was no significant wave activity observed beyond the Big Island and warned that the state would not be fully clear of danger for another two to three hours.
In Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for much of its eastern coastline, along with lower-level advisories in other regions of the country. The agency predicted that a tsunami could reach Hokkaido, the closest area to the quake's epicenter, at around 10 a.m. Japan local time, with a potential maximum height of 3 meters. Kiyomoto Masashi, an official from the agency, urged residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground, noting that tsunamis can occur for more than a day following the earthquake.
In light of the tsunami warning, several flights to Hawaii have either returned to the U.S. mainland or been diverted. According to local media reports, a joint statement from Hawaiian and Alaskan Airlines confirmed that some flights have been put on hold as they await further information. “We are monitoring a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian Islands and portions of Alaska and assessing our flight operations,” the airlines stated. Governor Green also announced that all flights in and out of Maui have been canceled due to the ongoing situation.
A tsunami consists of a series of long ocean waves, with crests that can last anywhere from five to 15 minutes or longer. According to the Maui County website, the threat from tsunami waves can persist for several hours after the initial event. The website explains that tsunami waves can efficiently wrap around islands, meaning that all shores are at risk regardless of their orientation.
As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor the impacts of the earthquake and provide updates to ensure public safety. Residents in affected regions are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders and safety advisories.
