This morning (05:46 GMT) a huge earthquake (current estimates suggest M8.8) struck the north-east of Japan, causing a tsunami. A tsunami warning has been issued for numerous countries across the Pacific Rim - A current list of countries at risk are:
JAPAN / RUSSIA / MARCUS IS. / N. MARIANAS / GUAM / WAKE IS. /
TAIWAN / YAP / PHILIPPINES / MARSHALL IS. / BELAU / MIDWAY IS. /
POHNPEI / CHUUK / KOSRAE / INDONESIA / PAPUA NEW GUINEA /
NAURU / JOHNSTON IS. / SOLOMON IS. / KIRIBATI / HOWLAND-BAKER /
HAWAII / TUVALU / PALMYRA IS. / VANUATU / TOKELAU / JARVIS IS. /
WALLIS-FUTUNA / SAMOA / AMERICAN SAMOA / COOK ISLANDS / NIUE /
FIJI / NEW CALEDONIA / TONGA / MEXICO /
KERMADEC IS / FR. POLYNESIA / PITCAIRN /
GUATEMALA / EL SALVADOR / COSTA RICA / NICARAGUA / ANTARCTICA /
PANAMA / HONDURAS / CHILE / ECUADOR / COLOMBIA / PERU
The latest details on where a warning has been issued can be found here: http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/index.php?region=1
It is important to follow the advice and specific warnings of local authorities. A detailed description of what to do can be found here: http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1187/#company A brief summary of the advice is to:- Remember that there can be more than one wave, and the waves can be separated by times ranging from around 5-60 minutes.- Remember that the first wave will not always be the largest - Do not assume they will reduce in intensity after the first.- Move away from the shoreline and coastal areas - DO NOT STAND AND WATCH THE WAVE - they can move much faster than you.- Get to higher ground - Tsunamis will move inland quickly, before losing their energy.
