HONOLULU — A tsunami sent waves into Russia, Japan, Hawaii and the West Coast of the U.S. after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Russian Far East early Wednesday.
It was one of the biggest temblors ever recorded. Several people were injured, but none seriously, and no major damage has been reported so far.
The danger already appeared to be lessening in some places, with authorities in Hawaii and parts of Japan and Russia downgrading their warnings.
According to the latest update, Japan has downgraded its last remaining tsunami alert, which was in the country’s north. Tsunami advisories remain in place for its Pacific coast following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off Russia’s Far East on Wednesday.
Tsunami activity continued to build in northern California as high tide approached Wednesday morning with maximum confirmed heights along the coast of 3.6 feet (1.1 metres) in Crescent City, 3.0 feet (.9 metres) in Arena Cove and 1.2 feet (.4 metres) in Humboldt Bay, according to the National Weather Service office in Eureka.
Hawaii and parts of Japan downgraded tsunami warnings, with Hawaii lifting evacuation orders across the state while leaving a tsunami advisory in place.
Officials in Hawaii said residents who had evacuated could return to their homes.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, said an advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbours.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said officials observed water receding by 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 metres) at Haleiwa Harbor on Oahu, an indication tsunami waves will arrive. The waves pulling out left boats to lay on dry rock and sand. “That gave us pause,” Green said.
Some tiny and low-lying Pacific island chains are among the world’s most imperiled by tsunamis and rising seas. Cautions to stay away from beaches until any wave surges passed late Wednesday were issued by officials in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands.
The 8.8-magnitude quake was among the four strongest earthquakes this century, and among the eight strongest since 1900, according to the USGS.
The earthquake occurred along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.
WestJet has triggered its flexible rebooking policy for travel to Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT). More details can be found here.