A tsunami warning issued for the Pacific Ocean region after a powerful earthquake struck off Russia’s eastern coast on Wednesday has been lifted, prompting millions of people to return to their homes after seeking refuge in other countries.
The powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami warnings of up to four meters (12 feet) in parts of the Pacific Ocean, prompting warnings for citizens in more than a dozen countries, from Japan to the United States and Ecuador, to evacuate their coastal areas and seek higher ground.
After the tsunami warning was issued, 65 of the 121 ports on the Pacific coast were temporarily closed. Authorities on the island of Maui in the US state of Hawaii canceled all flights to the island.
However, the disaster did not happen as much as feared. Although a tsunami was seen, the wave height was low. Later, one country after another withdrew or reduced the tsunami warning and informed coastal residents that they could return home.
In Japan, about two million people were told to evacuate to higher ground. The warning was later reduced or canceled.
A woman died after her car plunged into a mountain gorge while driving to safety after a tsunami warning was issued in Japan, with one death confirmed so far, Japanese media reported.
The Fukushima nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan was temporarily evacuated after being severely damaged by a powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
A woman died after her car plunged into a mountain gorge while driving to safety after a tsunami warning was issued in Japan, with one death confirmed so far, Japanese media reported.
In Chile, 1.4 million people were told to evacuate to higher ground. There were no reports of damage or casualties, officials said. Waves were only 2 feet high on Chile’s northern coast.
The tsunami caused the most damage in Russia, where authorities said the tidal wave flooded the port of the city of Severo-Kurilsk and submerged a local fish processing plant.
Video footage shown on Russian state television showed buildings and debris being swept away by the sea.Read more
Powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake hits eastern coast of Russia, tsunami warning issued
Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said the storm surge reached the city’s World War II memorial, which is located about 400 meters from the shoreline.
However, the damage from this earthquake is minor compared to the loss of life and damage from the powerful earthquake in 2011. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami killed about 15,000 people in Japan.
Russian scientists said the Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted shortly after yesterday’s earthquake.Read more
Tsunami hits Japan after powerful earthquake in Russia
The regional seismic monitoring agency said yesterday’s earthquake was the strongest in the Kamchatka region since 1952. The agency warned of aftershocks of up to magnitude 7.5.
In Chile, 1.4 million people were told to evacuate to higher ground. There were no reports of damage or casualties, officials said. Waves were only 2 feet high on Chile’s northern coast.
Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said yesterday’s earthquake was one of the 10 most powerful earthquakes recorded since 1900.
The quake was followed by multiple aftershocks in Russia’s sparsely populated Far East, including one with a magnitude of 6.9.
The USGS said there is a 59 percent chance of at least one aftershock measuring greater than magnitude 7 within the next week.
Source: Prothom Alo
