Massive 9.0 Earthquake in Japan, Widespread Tsunami Warnings Issued For Pacific

[ricki]

MASSIVE 8.9 magnitude earthquake on Honshu Island, Japan. Best of luck to the people on the island in the aftermath of the devastation and to the countries threatened by the possible tsunamis to follow. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/region/Asia_eqs.php

Photos of tsunami flooding, damage, fires in Japan and preparations elsewhere at:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_EARTHQUAKE?SITE=CARIE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
http://www.latimes.com/

Hawaii Civil Defense is advising all residents in tsunami inundation zones to evacuate immediately.
The alert, issued at 10:38, reads "Leave all coastal evacuation zones immediately. Refer to Hawaiian Telcom or Paradise Pages for evacuation maps."
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/117783848.html

There have been 11 after shocks measuring between 6.1 and 7.1 since the 8.9 event on 2011 March 11 05:46:23 UTC. The last official Pacific basin tsunami warning appears at: http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/text.php?id=pacific.2011.03.11.083004

The warning for Hawaii is at: http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/?region=2&id=hawaii.2011.03.11.083152

"It says the estimated earliest arrival in Hawaii of the first tsunami wave is 2:59 a.m. local time time Friday (7:59 a.m. ET)." and "A tsunami watch was also issued for the coasts of Oregon, Washington and California as well as parts of Alaska, The Oregonian newspaper reported. The paper said any wave which reached the coast could hit just before 7:30 a.m. local time Friday.
The warning also includes Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Central and South America. The coast of North America is not included in the warning."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42024659/ns/world_news-asia-pacific/

More at: Hawaii, Russia and Taiwan threatened by tsunami
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/tsunami.hawaii.japan.warning/

Prepare as indicated and good luck.

[ricki]

The images from northeast Japan are horrific. The destruction and potential for loss of life are intense. I believe the Japanese have had to deal with earthquakes and tsunami for a very long time and hope this helped to preserve life despite these severe events.

The first waves are predicted to arrive in Hawaii within the half hour. The amplitude of the waves from the tsunami arriving are unknown but estimated to be 3 to 6 ft. or less. With luck it will be a lot less as a six foot wave could cause serious damage. I understand it was 13 ft. in parts of northeastern Japan. The wave sensors in deep water recorded the tsunami at 2 to 3 ft. approaching Hawaii with the potential for building in height in shallow and confined waters.

[ricki]

Some videos out of Japan of the tsunami. The destructive power of the tsunami is appalling and unreal in aspect.

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I wish the Japanese people the best in dealing with this horrific disaster, tragic loss and in rebuilding.