The world’s biggest earthquake in 14 years has plunged Japan, Russia and the entire west coast of America into tsunami watch and sparked fears for millions as the first waves struck Russia and Japan.
The quake reached a magnitude of 8.8 – which makes it the sixth strongest earthquake ever measured.
It struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska, off the coast of Russia, about 7.24pm EST.
It is the largest earthquake to hit since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.
Tsunami waves hit both Japan and Russia on Sunday evening while millions of Americans across Hawaii, Guam, California, Washington and Oregon are under various levels of warnings.
Buildings in Russia were captured on video already under water after the first waves hit, with several people taken to hospital with various injuries.
At least one woman sustained injuries by jumping out of a window, Russian authorities said.
This is a developing story. Follow Daily Mail’s live coverage below.
‘Line of communication’ open with FEMA, authorities say
FEMA is prepared to intervene and offer support to Hawaii if the tsunami leaves significant damage.
Hawaiian authorities said they have opened a ‘line of communication’ with the appropriate channels within FEMA ahead of the tsunami landing.
All Port Honolulu commercial vessels ordered to evacuate
The Captain of the Port Honolulu has issued an order for all commercial vessels to evacuate all commercial harbors in Hawaii.
WATCH: How to prepare for incoming tsunami
Earthquake struck within ‘ring of fire’
Kamchatka and Russia’s Far East sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The Russian Academy of Sciences said it was the strongest quake to hit the region since 1952.
‘However, due to certain characteristics of the epicentre, the shaking intensity was not as high … as one might expect from such a magnitude,’ said Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service, on Telegram.
‘Aftershocks are currently ongoing … Their intensity will remain fairly high. However, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.’
Locals shelter on rooftop in Japan amid tsunami fears
People have taken shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa, Hokkaido in northern Japan.
Similar sized earthquakes have wiped out hundreds of people
Earthquakes with similar force to the one recorded today have caused widespread damage in the past.
At a magnitude 8.8, it is tied as the sixth strongest earthquake in history.
A 2010 earthquake in Chile which was also 8.8 magnitude tragically killed 523 people and destroyed more than 370,000 homes.
And in 1906, an earthquake in the Esmeraldas in Ecuador killed 1,500 people.
In 2011, a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.
No tsunami threat to Australia
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories as a result of the Kamchatka earthquake.
Hawaiian governor signs emergency proclamation ahead of devastating tsunami
Governor Josh Green said ‘both the State and County Emergency Operations Centers are fully activated’ as he urged residents to ‘please take this situation seriously.’
‘The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency issued evacuations earlier today for those in tsunami evacuation zones,’ he said.
‘If you are in a coastal area, move inland and to higher ground immediately. Do not wait.’
The Philippines, Indonesia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Chile all under tsunami alert
National Weather Service has updated Los Angeles threat level from ‘Watch’ to ‘Advisory’ amid fears tsunami will strike at 4am
The National Weather Service has now updated the tsunami threat level across Los Angeles from a ‘Watch’ to an ‘Advisory’.
‘A Tsunami Advisory has been issued, replacing the Tsunami Watch,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The tsunami should arrive near 1AM tonight (4am EST).
‘If you are located in the coastal area, move off the beach & out of harbors & marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch.’
This alert is relevant for residents within Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Heavy traffic in Hawaii as residents seek higher ground
Heavy traffic has been reported in Hawaii as tsunami sirens blare and residents are warned to seek higher ground before the first predicted waves.
Extraordinary photos on X show people fleeing in their cars as traffic hits a standstill during the commotion.
Long term residents on the island have described the alarms as the first true tsunami warning in years.
Adjutant General, Hawai‘i Department of Defense Stephen Logan said: ‘Right now, Hawaiʻi is in a Tsunami Warning with first waves hitting at 7:10pm.
‘The sirens will be going off… three hours (4:10pm), two hours (5:10pm), one hour (6:10pm) and a half hour (6:40pm) prior to the first wave. Please familiarize yourself with the Tsunami Evacuation Zones located here: https://static.pdc.org/tsunami/index.html…
‘It will take at least 30 minutes for the waves to get from Kauaʻi to Hawaiʻi Island, do not return to the evacuation zones until given the “all clear.”
‘Please check on your friends, family and neighbors.’
He added: ‘If you are near high-rise buildings when an evacuation order is issued, consider vertical evacuation.
‘To vertically evacuate, proceed to the fourth floor or higher of a building that is 10 stories or taller.
‘Waves are currently estimated to be 1 to 3.5 meters high, which means coastal flooding.’
Beachgoers were pictured making their way from the shores holding beach toys and towels amid the chaos.
Workers at stricken Fukushima nuclear plant evacuate after tsunami warning
Workers at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeast Japan were evacuated Wednesday after an earthquake off the coast of Russia triggered tsunami warnings around the Pacific.
‘We have evacuated all workers and employees’ at the Fukushima Daiichi plant – which went into meltdown after being hit by a tsunami in 2011 – a spokeswoman for plant operator TEPCO told AFP.
The spokeswoman added that ‘no abnormality’ had been observed at the site.
WATCH: Tsunami waves swamp buildings after massive earthquake in Russia
Buildings in Russia are under water after the first waves of a tsunami hit following a massive earthquake.
It is understood ‘several people’ sustained injuries while evacuating, including a woman who jumped out of a window.
President Trump addresses tsunami warnings and horror earthquake
President Trump has issued a statement about the tsunami warnings and horror earthquake off the coast of Russia in a Sunday night Truth Social post.
He wrote: ‘Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii.
‘A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States.
‘Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!’
Kindergarten damaged in Russia during quake
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov confirmed that a kindergarten was damaged in the earthquake.
‘Today’s earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,’ he said.
No students were inside the building at the time as it was being repaired.
Earthquake upgraded to 8.8 magnitude
The initial earthquake – already the largest in 14 years – has been upgraded from an 8.7 magnitude to 8.8 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey.
This makes it the sixth strongest earthquake to ever hit the planet.
New Zealand issues tsunami alert
New Zealand authorities have warned people in coastal areas to stay away from beaches and shore areas.
– The West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Raglan, including the West Coast of Auckland and Manukau Harbour, and from Hawera to Whanganui.
– The East and South Coasts of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Makara including Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, Lake Ferry, the Wellington South Coast and Wellington Harbour.
– The West Coast of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika,
– The top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Port Underwood including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds.
– The East and South Coasts of the South Island from the Clarence River to Puysegur Point including Kaikoura, Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula and Invercargill.
– Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.
There is no need to evacuate unless ordered to be local authorities, the National Emergency Management Agency said.
First tsunami waves hit Japan, Russia
A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s large northern island of Hokkaido after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake early Wednesday.
Tsunami warning sirens blared Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido.
The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko.
He said residents were safe and staying on high ground until the threat of a repeat wave was gone.
A timelapse of the 2011 Japan earthquake has provided a shocking glimpse into how fast it takes a tsunami to reach the rest of the world.
The 9.1 Richter quake struck the north east coast of Honshu – Japan‘s main island – at 2.46pm local time on March 11, causing a tsunami up to 56ft high that washed inland and destroyed everything in its path.
A harrowing reconstruction of the disaster shows how within a matter of the hours the colossal wave was able to cross the largest ocean on earth – resulting in devastating consequences for any country in its wake.
What time could a tsunami hit the west coast of America?
Authorities have warned residents along the west coast to prepare for a potential tsunami.
These are the times it could hit each location:
Hawaii: 7.17pm HST (1.17am EST)
Washington State: 11.40pm PT (2.40am EST)
Oregon: 11.40pm PT (2.40am EST)
California, San Francisco: 12.40pm PT (3.40am EST)
California, Malibu and San Diego: 1.05am PT (4.05am EST)
Terrifying warning from Hawaiian authorities: ‘All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face’
Hawaiian authorities have issued a chilling explainer ahead of an approaching tsunami.
‘A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas.
‘The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest.
‘Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face.
‘The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor but the area will quickly flood again.
Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power.
‘Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.’
California issues Tsunami Watch warning
Authorities in California are currently evaluating the threat, but have warned a tsunami could arrive as early as 12.15am local time.
‘Flooding of coastal regions is possible,’ authorities warned.
The Watch alert includes all coastal regions in the Bay Area and Central Coast, including San Francisco and San Pablo bays.
Three meter waves expected to strike Japan, authorities say
The Japan National Tourism Organization has started rolling out urgent warnings for regions which are at risk of 3 meter tsunami waves within hours.
The impacted regions are:
– coastal regions of Wakayama Prefecture
– coastal regions of Southern Part of Mie Prefecture
– coastal regions of Pacific Coast of Aichi Prefecture
– coastal regions of Shizuoka Prefecture
– coastal regions of Sagami Bay and Miura Peninsula
– coastal regions of Ogasawara Islands
– coastal regions of Izu Islands
– coastal regions of Uchibo Area, Chiba Prefecture
– coastal regions of Kujukuri and Sotobo Area, Chiba Prefecture
– coastal regions of Ibaraki Prefecture
– coastal regions of Fukushima Prefecture
– coastal regions of Miyagi Prefecture
– coastal regions of Iwate Prefecture
– coastal regions of Pacific Coast of Aomori Prefecture
– coastal regions of Western part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido
– coastal regions of Central part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido
– coastal regions of Eastern part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido
Oahu emergency management issues urgent alert for Hawaii residents: Take action now
Oahu Emergency Management has issued an urgent warning for residents to ‘take action’ now ahead of expected ‘destructive tsunami waves.’
People within evacuation areas on the island are uregd to seek higher ground or take shelter on the 4th floor or above of a building at least 10 stories high.
Tsunami warnings issued for parts of Russia, Japan
Russia’s Kamchatka’s Pensinsula has been placed under tsunami warning with residents urged to stay clear of the coastline.
A tsunami wave up to four meters tall has already been recorded in the region, authorities revealed.
Meanwhile, the Pacific coast of Japan is under a similar warning with fears that waves of up to 1 meter will reach the coast between 10am and 11am.
Similarly, residents have been warned to stay away from the coastline.
Tsunami warning issued for parts of America
Authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center have warned that ‘a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive’ to coastal areas.
It also warned that ‘waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.’
‘Prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued,’ meteorologist Matthew Capucci warned.
Preliminary data from the US Geological Survey shows the quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST.
It is the largest earthquake to hit since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan.
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First tsunami waves hit Russia and Japan with buildings washed away as strongest quake since 2011 hits: Live updates
