Massive Earthquake Near Russia's East Coast Causes Tsunami

2011 Japan Tsunami Wreckage

BY C STONE | STONE NEWS NETWORK ||| JAPAN

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake - the largest - was recorded off Russia's far east coast yesterday. The water waves generated washed ashore in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

via hawaiinewsnew:

 A tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday following a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia.

A tsunami warning had been in effect since 2:43 p.m. with the first tsunami wave arriving in Hawaii at around 7:17 p.m.

Water could be seen gradually receding in Hanalei Bay and at Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore.

Warning sirens first sounded at 3:23 p.m. and went off at regular intervals throughout the afternoon and evening to alert the public to the danger.

Officials said urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property, including evacuations to higher ground.

At 7:30 p.m., Chip McCreery, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center director, said water levels were dropping to a below-normal sea level, and it could be awhile before an all-clear is given.

At around 10:40 p.m., the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami wave heights had dropped below the three-foot threshold and had begun to stabilize, leading the center to downgrade the warning to an advisory.

State and county officials lifted evacuation orders shortly after.