Tsunami hits US after massive Pacific earthquake
LOS ANGELES: A powerful tsunami has struck parts of the United States (US) following one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, which hit deep in the Pacific Ocean early Wednesday morning.
Tsunami waves began hitting Hawaii and parts of the California coastline shortly after the 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Far East. In Hawaii, residents rushed to higher ground as waves made landfall.
“We hope these waves don’t harm us,” said Hawaii Governor Josh Green. “But you must act as if they are life-threatening.” He warned the tsunami could impact multiple beaches and wrap around the islands.
In Maui, Hawaii, Oprah Winfrey opened a private road to assist evacuations. Her spokesperson said local law enforcement and FEMA were notified immediately. Officers are guiding around 50 vehicles at a time to ensure safety, and the road will stay open as long as needed.
A wave measuring five feet was reported in Kahului, on Maui’s north-central shore, while tsunami warnings remain in effect across the island chain.
Officials in California issued alerts, urging people to stay away from beaches and coastal areas.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed tsunami waves reaching California’s coast. The waves first appeared in Arena Cove and continued southward. The NWS said clear waves were recorded at Crescent City and Humboldt Bay and warned they could grow stronger near high tide.
Meanwhile, Japan ordered nearly 1.9 million people to evacuate, including staff at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Experts have warned that tsunami waves could continue for more than 24 hours.
Kamchatka, in Russia’s Far East, reported tsunami waves up to 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) high. In Japan’s northern region of Hokkaido, smaller waves around 60 cm (2 feet) were observed.
According to Professor Chris Elders, a structural geologist at Curtin University in Perth, tsunami waves crossed the Pacific at the “speed of a jet plane.” He told BBC Radio 4 that the journey from Kamchatka to Hawaii took around eight hours — the same as a commercial flight.
He added that the earthquake ranked among the top ten most powerful quakes ever recorded.