An extremely powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami advisories in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and all along the West Coast of the United States.
It’s the Earth’s strongest earthquake since the 9.0–9.1 megaquake that struck off the coast of Japan in 2011.
Tsunami waves have already been observed in Hokkaido in northern Japan.
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Japan Lifts All Remaining Tsunami Warnings; Advisories Remain In Place
Japan has lifted all of its remaining tsunami warnings, according to its Meteorological Agency.
Advisories remain in place along Japan’s entire Pacific coast.
Tsunami Warning Downgraded To Advisory For All Of Hawaii, Parts Of Japan
The tsunami warning for the entire state of Hawaii has been downgraded to a tsunami advisory while parts of Japan has had its warning also downgraded to an advisory, with a warning still in place farther north.
The downgrade in Hawaii by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center means that there remains a potential for strong currents or dangerous waves, along with flooding along the beach or in harbor areas, authorities said at a press conference.
Japan’s tsunami warning level remains in effect for parts of Hokkaido and Tohoku. It was downgraded to an advisory in the Pacific coast south of Fukushima.
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Hawaii Waves Remain Relatively Calm, But Officials Urge People To Remain Evacuated
While initial waves remained relatively calm in Kauai, officials urged continued caution as “significant” waves were still anticipated.
At a press conference, NOAA’s Dr. Chip McCreery said instructions on when it would be safe to return to the coast will come from state and county emergency management agencies.
“We’ve got a ways to go,” he told reporters. “It’s probably going to be several hours before we may even be able to lower the warning here in Hawaii to advisory level.”
He added the state was highly unlikely to lift all warnings and advisories before Wednesday.
“We are waiting to see just how big it is going to get across the state,” he said.
Hawaii Gov. Says ‘So Far, So Good,’ But Threat Still Remains
In a press conference, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Hawaii has yet to see major tsunami waves, but the danger has not yet passed.
“We have not seen a wave of consequence which is a great relief,” he said.
However, Green said officials would not give an all-clear for at least another two to three hours.
“But so far, so good,” he added.
Green said they were paying special attention to indicators that water levels had receded, which could point to bigger waves on the way.
Monterey Issues Evacuation Warning For Harbors
The city of Monterey,