Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Black smoke rises from a burning building in Tokyo after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, March 11, 2011. Press Association Images

Tsunami alerts issued for multiple counties in Pacific Rim

Tsunami warnings have been issued for multiple countries in the Pacific Rim. The Japanse Prime Minister confirmed that a nuclear power plant in the north has been closed down but declared the situation safe so far.

Updated at 08.45

TSUNAMI WARNINGS HAVE been issued for multiple countries in the Pacific Rim, following a massive 8.9 earthquake hitting Japan earlier today.

Al Jazeera reports that the earthquake is the seventh most powerful ever recorded.

One woman has been confirmed dead so far.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawaii – as well as the Marshall Islands, Belau, Midway Islands, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the estimated earliest arrival in Hawaii of the first tsunami wave is 2:59 am HST Friday. The country has issued an evacuation alert and sirens are sounding in Honolulu.

Dr Jose Borrero tsunami scientist in New Zealand told Al Jazeera: ”The whole Pacific Rim in on tsumnai watch . It is a severe event – the magnitudes have increased rapidly from the very first report to come through”.

“The fact that it was a shallow earthquake makes it worse for the potential for tsunami generation,” Borrero said. He added that New Zealand is not expecting a wave more than one metre, which would pose minimal damage to the coastline, and also that the waves will have “a lot of travel time” before the waves reach Hawaii.

To put today’s quake in context, the 2010 Haiti quake measured at 7.0 and 2010 Chile quake was 8.8, he said.

The Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the nation and appealed for calm, saying:

“Some of the nuclear power plants have stopped automatically. No radioactive material of any kind has been confirmed to have leaked. An emergency disaster HQ has been set up”. Kan will head the emergency response team.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Jennifer Wade
View comments
Close
Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds