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Powerful 8.0 Quake Triggers Tsunami Alert for Japan, Hawaii
30 Jul
Summary
- 8.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula
- Tsunami alert issued for Japan's Pacific coast and Hawaii
- Quake felt slightly in Japan, caused damage and power outages in Kamchatka
On Wednesday morning, a powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan's meteorological agency to issue a tsunami alert for the country's Pacific coast. The agency warned of a potential tsunami up to 3 yards high that could start arriving along the northern Japanese coasts in less than half an hour.
The U.S. National Weather Service also extended a tsunami warning to the state of Hawaii, stating that the quake had generated a tsunami that could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands. Authorities in both Japan and Hawaii urged immediate action to protect lives and property as the first waves were expected around 7 p.m. local time.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 12 miles, was felt only slightly in Japan according to the country's NHK television. However, in the nearby Kamchatka region, the quake caused significant damage, with reports of toppled cabinets, broken mirrors, swaying cars, and shaking balconies. Power outages and mobile phone service failures were also reported in the regional capital.
