Fukushima: Brief Fire, 6.4 Aftershock & Severity Level To Be Raised

 

 

# 5485

 

 

According to NHK World News Japan’s Nuclear Safety Agency today has decided to raise the severity level of the multiple crises at the Fukushima Nuclear facility from a 5 (on par with Three Mile Island) to a 7 – the same level assigned to the 1985 Chernobyl disaster.

 

It is still believed that the amount of radiation released at the Fukushima plant is less than what was released at Chernobyl, however.

 

This decision comes a month after the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that disabled and severely damaged at least 4 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi facility.

 

An announcement will be made via a press conference to be held Tuesday morning (Japan Time).  

 

This from NHK News.

 

 

Japan to raise Fukushima crisis level to worst

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 05:47 +0900 (JST)

The Japanese government's nuclear safety agency has decided to raise the crisis level of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant accident from 5 to 7, the worst on the international scale.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency made the decision on Monday. It says the damaged facilities have been releasing a massive amount of radioactive substances, which are posing a threat to human health and the environment over a wide area.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

In other news, a brief fire broke out at reactor # 4 a short time ago (around 6:30 am local time), but appears now to be extinguished.  The following report is from Reuters.

 

 

Fire seen at Fukushima nuclear plant; flames no longer visible

• Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:53pm EDT

(Reuters) - A fire broke out at Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, operator Tokyo Electric and Power (TEPCO) said on Tuesday, although flames and smoke were no longer visible.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

And another strong (6.4 Mag), very shallow (13.1 km) aftershock struck just after 8am local time,  77 km ESE of Tokyo.  No Tsunami warning was issued, and thus far there are no reports of fresh damage or injuries.

 

 

MAP 6.4  2011/04/11 23:08:16  35.406   140.542 13.1 
NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

Japan: 7.1 Mag Aftershock

 

 

 

# 5482

 

 

Although data is still coming in, and the final magnitude may be adjusted, the JMA (Japan’s Meteorological Agency) is showing their latest aftershock as a 7.1 and have issued localized tsunami warnings and advisories.

 

NO PACIFIC WIDE TSUNAMI WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED (see PTWC statement)

 

The USGS currently shows the magnitude of this quake considerably lower than does the JMA.

 

 

By either measure this is the strongest aftershock since last Thursday (see 7.4 Mag Aftershock Hits Japan).  Since the March 11th 9.0 earthquake more than 70 6.0+ aftershocks have been recorded.

 

Thus far, we’ve seen no reports of new damage from this latest quake.

 

 

 

Media reports indicate these warnings may already have been lifted, but as of this posting they still appear on the JMA site.

Japan: IAEA Briefing April 8th

 

 

# 5477

 

 

In the wake of a 7.1 magnitude aftershock yesterday, the IAEA has issued a new briefing that includes status updates on several other nuclear reactors in northern Japan.

 

Yesterday’s temblor was the largest aftershock yet since the March 11th 9.0 quake that generated a massive tsunami, devastated northern Japan, and severely damaged several nuclear reactors.

 

The IAEA continues to categorize the status of these damaged reactors by stating: 

 

Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious although there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation.

 

I’ve only reproduced the opening section which pertains to this latest aftershock’s effects on Japan’s nuclear facilities. 

 

Follow the link to read this update in its entirety.

 

 

IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (8 April 2011, 15:00 UTC)

by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 10:57am

1.      Earthquake of 7th April

The IAEA confirms that an earthquake occurred in Japan at 14:32 UTC 7th April. The IAEA International Seismic Safety Centre has rated it as a 7.1 magnitude, revised from an initial 7.4 magnitude.

The epicenter of the earthquake was 20 km from the Onagawa nuclear power plant and approximately 120 km from the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants.

 

The IAEA has been in contact with NISA and can confirm the status of the following nuclear facilities:

Fukushima Daiichi NPP

No changes have been observed at the on-site radiation monitoring posts. The injection of water into the reactor pressure vessels of Units 1, 2 and 3 was not interrupted.

Fukushima Daini NPP

No changes have been observed of the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts.

Onagawa NPP

All reactors have been in cold shutdown since the 11th March earthquake.

 

Two out of the three lines supplying off-site power to the site were lost following the 7th April earthquake. Off-site power continues to be supplied through the third line.

 

Cooling of the spent fuel pool was temporarily lost, but has subsequently been restored.

 

No change has been observed in the readings from the on-site radiation monitoring post. The status of the plant is currently being checked.

Tokai Daini NPP

Tokai Daini nuclear power plant remains in cold shutdown since the 11th March earthquake. No abnormality has been observed.

Higashidori NPP

The Higashidori NPP was shut down and in a maintenance outage at the time of the 7th April earthquake. Off-site power was lost temporarily. Emergency power supply to the site operated as expected until off-site power was restored. All the fuel had been removed from the reactor core and stored in the spent fuel pool. Cooling of the spent fuel pool is operational.

Tomari NPP (in Hokkaido)

At the time of the 7th April earthquake Tomari Unit 1 and Unit 2 were in operation. Following the 7th April earthquake, the Hokkaido Electric Power Company reduced the generating power to 90% of capacity.

Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant

Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and uranium enrichment facility lost off-site power. Emergency power supply to the site is operating.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

 

Seismologists warn that additional strong aftershocks are still possible over the next few weeks and months.

7.4 Mag Aftershock Hits Japan

 

UPDATE #2:  As of 1135 hrs 4/711 -  As often happens, the initial readings on earthquakes can bounce around a bit as more data comes in. 

Right now, the USGS is showing this as a 7.1 Magnitude with a depth of 49km. 

These numbers may well change again before they are finalized.

UPDATE #1: as of 1112hrs 4/7/11 -  The USGS has revised the depth of this earthquake to 25.6 km.

NHK World News is broadcasting live from Tokyo on the situation.

 

 

# 5475

 

 

Scientists have been warning for a month that another 7+ aftershock could strike northern Japan, and a short time ago one did.

 

This aftershock registered as being 40 km deep, which is considerably deeper than the massive quake that struck on March 11th.

 

So far, we’ve received no word on damages.

 

 

While a local Tsunami advisory has been issued, NO PACIFIC WIDE TSUNAMI THREAT is anticipated.

 

The following statement comes from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

 

000
WEHW42 PHEB 071442
TIBHWX
HIZ001>003-005>009-012>014-016>021-023>026-071642-
TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER   1
NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI
442 AM HST THU APR 07 2011

TO - CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII
SUBJECT - TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT
THIS STATEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NO ACTION REQUIRED.

AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

   ORIGIN TIME - 0432 AM HST 07 APR 2011
   COORDINATES - 38.2 NORTH  142.0 EAST
   LOCATION    - NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU  JAPAN
   MAGNITUDE   - 7.4  MOMENT

EVALUATION

BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS  NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII. REPEAT. A  DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII.

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED.

Japan: 6.1 Magnitude Aftershock

 

 

# 5423

 

 

 

 

A little more than 24 hours after Japan’s last 6.0+ aftershock, another 6.1 magnitude temblor rattled the east coast of Honshu island at just past 9 pm local time today. 

 

While there were no immediate reports of additional damage, the quake was reportedly strongly felt as far away as Tokyo several hundred kilometers to the south.

 

Over the past 24 hours more than 30 aftershocks of 4.5 mag. or greater have been recorded in the region.

 

Although their frequency and average strength are declining, seismologists continue to warn that another large (7.0+) aftershock is still possible in the region.

Japan: OCHA SITREP # 4

 

 

 

# 5402

 

 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a new situation report on the rescue/recovery operations in the aftermath  of the 9.0 earthquake on Friday.

 

Japan: Earthquake & Tsunami - Situation Report No. 4

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Date: 15 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 327.5 Kbytes)

Highlights/Key Priorities

· There has been a third explosion at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

· Radiation from the nuclear plant has reached harmful levels within the evacuation zone

· Emergency relief operations enter into their fifth day with some areas still inaccessible

· Food, water and fuel are reported to be running short in some parts of Japan

· Significant areas of the country remain without power and water

IAEA Statement On 2nd Fukushima Plant Explosion

 

 

# 5389

 

 

A second hydrogen gas explosion has occurred at the Fukushima nuclear facility, this time in reactor building # 3.  Authorities believe the reactor core remains intact, and no significant release of radiation was detected.

 

First, a brief report (and video) from NHK News, then a (very) brief update from the IAEA.

 

Another Fukushima nuclear plant blast injures 11

updated at 10:09 UTC, Mar. 14

 

What appears to be another hydrogen blast has occurred at a nuclear power plant in Fukushima. No damage to the reactor chamber has been reported, but 11 people have been injured.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says what it believes was a hydrogen blast occurred at 11:01 AM on Monday at the No.3 reactor of Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant. The agency says it has so far observed no abnormal rise in radiation around the compound of the plant.

The company says the blast injured 11 people, including 4 of its employees and 4 Self-Defense Force members.

(Continue . . . )

 

This from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Facebook page.

 

 

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 07:00 CET)

by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 1:59am

 

Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has provided the IAEA with further information about the hydrogen explosion that occurred today at the unit 3 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. A hydrogen explosion occurred at unit 3 on 14 March at 11:01AM local Japan time.

 

All personnel at the site are accounted for. Six people have been injured.

 

The reactor building exploded but the primary containment vessel was not damaged. The control room of unit 3 remains operational.

 

The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities and is monitoring the situation as it evolves.

Japan: Earthquake/Tsunami Damage Satellite Imagery

 

 

# 5387

 

 

Via Reliefweb tonight, a series of links to maps and satellite imagery showing the widespread destruction from the 9.0 earthquake and the subsequent tsunamis in northern Japan.

 

 

 

 

Japan: Satellite Imagery Damage Analysis (as of 12 Mar 2011)

• Date: 13 Mar 2011
• Type: Natural Disaster
• Keyword(s): Damage Assessment; Disaster Assessment; Earthquake; Natural Disaster; Satellite Imagery; Technological Disaster; Tsunami
• Format:

  PDF *, 3055 Kb

•  

•  

 

Damage assessment maps for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami situation based on TerraSAR-X, Rapid Eyes and WorldView-2 imagery (as of 12 Mar 2011)

Date: 12 Mar 2011

Type: Natural Disaster

Keyword(s): Damage Assessment; Disaster Assessment; Earthquake; Natural Disaster; Satellite Imagery; Technological Disaster; Tsunami

Format:JPG,0

Source(s):
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- International Charter Space and Major Disasters

Related Link:

 Japan, Higashi-Matsushima - Earthquake/Tsunami

  Japan, Torinoumi - Earthquake/Tsunami

- Japan, Soma - Earthquake/Tsunami

- Japan, Sendai Airport - Earthquake/Tsunami

Japanese Govt. Urges Calm, Extends Nuke Evacuation Zone

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

# 5381

 

 

I’m currently monitoring the English language news broadcasts from NHK World available at:

 

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

 

Guests and reporters are openly discussing the possibility of a core melt occurring at Fukushima reactor #1, and have very recently announced the extension of the evacuation zone around reactor #1 to 20 km.

 

The evacuation radius around reactor #2 remains at 10 Km (the two reactors are roughly 10 km apart).

 

Two recent reports from the Voice of America.

 

Fear of potential invisible killer near Japanese nuclear site

Nuclear reactor at Fukushima may be near meltdown

Steve Herman | Fukushima, Japan  March 12, 2011

Photo: AFP

An aerial view shows the quake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in the Japanese town of Futaba, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, run by Tokyo Electric Power, March 12, 2011

An eerie silence has descended over this northeastern Japanese city. Tens of thousands have evacuated their homes a day after one of the worst-ever recorded earthquakes and subsequent tsunami, which swallowed coastal villages.

 

The greatest fear here, right now, stems not from the continuing aftershocks and the ongoing tsunami warnings, but rather a silent and invisible potential killer.

 

One or more nuclear reactors in Fukushima may be close to, or have suffered a meltdown.  A reactor wall has apparently collapsed at one reactor, injuring four people there Saturday afternoon.

(Continue . . .)

 

 

Japanese Government Urges Calm Following Explosion at Nuclear Plant

Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 10:35 am UTC

A Japanese government spokesman has called for calm following an explosion at one of two nuclear plants damaged in Friday's massive earthquake.

 

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says authorities are monitoring radiation levels at Fukushima, where smoke could be seen billowing out of the nuclear plant complex. Japanese media say radiation levels are more than eight times normal outside the plant.

 

Authorities have expanded the evacuation zone around the plant to 20 kilometers.

(Continue . . .)

 

 

It is now roughly 30 hours since the 8.9 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Honshu.  Since then, the region has been struck by dozens of strong aftershocks.

Report: Radiation Levels Rising Inside Fukushima Nuke Plant

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

 

# 5376

 

Fukushima, Honshu Japan

 

The latest report via Nikkei News on the earthquake damaged nuclear power plant #1 at Fukushima indicates that radiation levels – and possibly air pressure as well – inside the plant are continuing to rise.

 

 

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Radiation Level Rising In Fukushima Nuclear Plant Turbine Building

FUKUSHIMA (Kyodo)--The radiation level is rising in the building housing a turbine of the No. 1 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant following Friday's powerful earthquake, the operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Saturday.

(Continue. . . )

 

 

Another report, this time from Reuters – quoting Jiji News – indicates that TEPCO will take steps to try to reduce the pressure inside the plant. 

 

TEPCO says pressure rises inside nuclear reactor -Jiji

TOKYO, March 12 (Reuters) - Tokyo Electric Power Co said pressure inside the No.1 reactor at its Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant has been rising, with the risk of a radiation leak, Jiji News reported on Saturday.

(Continue. . . )

 

 

 

Local authorities continue to insist, however, that problems are not yet at a critical level, as evidenced by this recent Reuters report.

 

UPDATE 4-Japan declares emergency at nuke plant, no radiation leak now

03/11/2011

Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:13pm GMT

* Problems not at critical level -local officials quoted

* U.S. Air Force delivers coolant to nuclear plant

Japan: Evacuation Order For Those Within 3km Of Damaged Nuke Plant

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

 

# 5374

 

 

NHK News is now reporting that residents living within a 3km radius of the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant #1 have been urged to evacuate, and those living between 3km and 10km told to remain indoors.

 

Reportedly, no radiation has escaped but concerns continue over the plant’s cooling system failure in the aftermath of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of Honshu. 

 

For now, this appears to be a precautionary measure, and authorities insist there is no current danger of radiation exposure.

 

But a cooling system failure – if it isn’t rapidly rectified – can cascade into a very serious situation.  Emergency generators to run the pumps have failed, and media reports indicate the water level in the reactor is falling.

 

 

The Associated Press has just issued the following bulletin.

 

Mar 11, 8:05 AM EST

Japan to evacuate residents near nuke plant

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan is issuing an evacuation order to thousands of residents near a nuclear power plant.

(Continue . . . )

Japan: Concerns Over Nuclear Power Plant Shutdowns

 

 CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

 

SEE UPDATE AT BOTTOM

 

 

# 5373

 

 

It now appears that the Japanese government has issued a special nuclear emergency declaration due to earthquake damage at one or more of the 6 Fukushima nuclear plants.

 

 

NHK news just carried a news conference where officials state that there has been no radioactive leakage detected, and that all affected plants have been shut down.

 

However, emergency cooling systems are reportedly disabled or damaged at one or more locations.

 

No evacuations, or emergency instructions have been issued, and authorities are working to divert electricity to the damaged plants in order to restore their cooling capacity.

 

 

For now, while there are concerns over these problems, authorities insist there is presently no danger to the public.

 

With communications seriously degraded in the wake of the 8.9 Honshu quake, it may be some time before we get a clear idea of the extent of the damage to these plants.

 

UPDATED:  

MSNBC is now carrying the following report on the state of emergency that was declared over cooling system problems at one or more power plants in the earthquake zone.

 

 

State of emergency is declared at Japanese nuclear plant

Process for cooling reactor 'not going as planned,' administrator says

West Coast Tsunami Warning Issued

 

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

 

# 5372

 

With more data coming in NOAA has just upgraded the alert level for portions of the west coast of the United States to a TSUNAMI WARNING after the massive 8.9 magnitude Honshu earthquake which occurred only 3 hours ago.

 

 

 

TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 4

NWS WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK 1244 AM PST FRI MAR 11 2011

THIS MESSAGE UPDATES THE ALERT STATUS TO WARNING AND ADVISORY.

...A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT WHICH INCLUDES THE COASTAL AREAS OF CALIFORNIA AND OREGON FROM POINT CONCEPCION CALIFORNIA TO THE OREGON-WASHINGTON BORDER...

 

...A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT WHICH INCLUDES THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM AMCHITKA PASS ALASKA/125 MILES  W OF ADAK/ TO ATTU ALASKA...

 

...THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE COASTAL  AREAS OF CALIFORNIA FROM THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO POINT CONCEPCION CALIFORNIA...

 

...THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE COASTAL  AREAS OF WASHINGTON - BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE OREGON-WASHINGTON BORDER TO CHIGNIK BAY ALASKA...

...THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE COASTAL  AREAS OF ALASKA FROM CHIGNIK BAY ALASKA TO AMCHITKA PASS ALASKA/125 MILES W OF ADAK/...

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED WHICH IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE WARNING AND/OR ADVISORY REGIONS LISTED IN THE HEADLINE.

PERSONS IN LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT TO  INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS ARE ONLY ORDERED BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES.

- PERSONS IN TSUNAMI WARNING COASTAL AREAS SHOULD MOVE INLAND TO  HIGHER GROUND.

- PERSONS IN TSUNAMI ADVISORY COASTAL AREAS SHOULD MOVE OUT OF THE WATER... OFF THE BEACH AND OUT OF HARBORS AND MARINAS

 

 

Estimated Tsunami Arrival Times

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST/ALL QUAKE UPDATES

 

# 5370

 

 

NOAA has produced a map of possible arrival times for the Tsunami believed to be moving across the Pacific as a result of the Honshu earthquake. 

 

Reports out of Japan indicate that up to an 11 meter (33 ft)  tsunami may have struck the coastline.  Damage is reportedly extensive.

 

 

Here is the latest advisory from the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center.

 

To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions

From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Subject: Tsunami Watch and Advisory #3 issued 03/10/2011 at 11:33PM PST

UPDATED MAGNITUDE TO 8.8

The Tsunami Advisory continues in effect for the coastal areas of Alaska from Chignik Bay, Alaska to Attu, Alaska.

The Tsunami Watch continues in effect for the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the California-Mexico border to Chignik Bay, Alaska.

A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

A Tsunami Watch means that all coastal residents in the watch area should prepare for possible evacuation. A tsunami watch is issued to areas which will not be immediately impacted by the tsunami. Watch areas will either be upgraded to warning or advisory status, or canceled.

At 9:46 PM Pacific Standard Time on March 10, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.8 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan . (Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.) This earthquake has generated a tsunami which could cause damage to coastal regions in a warning or advisory. The waves are expected to first reach Shemya, Alaska at 12:13 AM AKST on March 11. Estimated tsunami arrival times and maps along with safety rules and other information can be found on the WCATWC web site.

Pacific Wide Tsunami Warnings

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST QUAKE UPDATE 

 

# 5369

 

Pacific wide Tsunami warnings are now being issued across the entire pacific in the wake of the 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Honshu. T

 

Tsunami waves in excess of 7 meters have now been reported in Northern Japan.

 

A TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:

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 / AUSTRALIA / FIJI / NEW CALEDONIA / TONGA / MEXICO / KERMADEC IS / FR. POLYNESIA / NEW ZEALAND / PITCAIRN / GUATEMALA / EL SALVADOR / COSTA RICA / NICARAGUA / ANTARCTICA / PANAMA / HONDURAS / CHILE / ECUADOR / COLOMBIA / PERU

 

The following excerpt is from the Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii. 

BULLETIN

TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER   3


NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI


931 PM HST THU MAR 10 2011


TO - CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII


SUBJECT - TSUNAMI WARNING

A TSUNAMI WARNING IS ISSUED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 931 PM HST.


AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

   ORIGIN TIME - 0746 PM HST 10 MAR 2011


   COORDINATES - 38.2 NORTH  142.5 EAST


   LOCATION    - NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU   JAPAN    MAGNITUDE   - 8.8  MOMENT

<SNIP>

A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY.

 

A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF LONG OCEAN WAVES. EACH INDIVIDUAL WAVE CREST CAN LAST 5 TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE AND EXTENSIVELY FlOOD COASTAL AREAS. THE DANGER CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE  INITIAL WAVE AS SUBSEQUENT WAVES ARRIVE. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.

 

TSUNAMI WAVES EFFICIENTLY WRAP AROUND ISLANDS. ALL SHORES ARE AT RISK NO MATTER WHICH DIRECTION THEY FACE. THE TROUGH OF A TSUNAMI WAVE MAY TEMPORARILY EXPOSE THE SEAFLOOR BUT THE AREA WILL QUICKLY FLOOD AGAIN. EXTREMELY STRONG AND UNUSUAL NEARSHORE CURRENTS CAN ACCOMPANY A TSUNAMI. DEBRIS PICKED UP AND CARRIED BY A TSUNAMI AMPLIFIES ITS DESTRUCTIVE POWER. SIMULTANEOUS HIGH TIDES OR HIGH SURF CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE TSUNAMI HAZARD.

 

THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS  0259 AM HST FRI 11 MAR 2011

 

MESSAGES WILL BE ISSUED HOURLY OR SOONER AS CONDITIONS WARRANT.

 

For the latest Tsunami warnings go to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Quake/Tsunami Damage Heavy

 

 CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST QUAKE UPDATE

 

# 5368

 

Tsunami waves of up to 4 meters reportedly struck the coast shortly after the (now upgraded) 8.9 quake off the coast of Honshu.  Farms and houses are reportedly washed away by the incoming waves, and more than an hour after the quake fresh waves continue to come in.

 

Quake damage reports are just beginning to come in, but at this point they look to be significant. 

 

Live streaming video from NHK World with English news commentary is available at:

 

http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

 

 

In the hour or so since the major quake, several very strong aftershocks have been reported.

 

Major Quake Off Japan, Pacific Tsunami Warning/Watch Issued

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR LATEST QUAKE UPDATE

 

 

# 5367

 

 

The world is waiting for damage reports, and word of any tsunami generated, in the wake of an extremely powerful earthquake that struck off the coast of Honshu, Japan mid afternoon local time Friday.

 

Immediate had estimated the magnitude range at 7.9, but the USGS is now showing it at 8.8 , and the depth at 24.4 km.   Adjustments to magnitudes often occur when more data is received.

 

 

This is the latest of a series of earthquakes in this region that began less than 48 hours ago with a 7.2 magnitude quake, followed by many aftershocks.

 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning center has issued the following statement:

 

 

And from Hawaiinewsnow.com  we get the following story:

 

Tsunami watch issued after Japan earthquake

Updated: Mar 11, 2011 1:42 AM EST Friday, March 11, 2011 1:42 AM EST

EWA BEACH (HawaiiNewsNow) -- A Tsunami Watch has been issued for the state of Hawaii following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

 

Scientists at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach said that based on available data, a tsunami may have been generated by the quake. They said the earliest that tsunami waves could reach Hawaii would be at 2:59 a.m. Friday.

 

This is obviously a breaking news story, and I’ll have updates as they become available.   I’ll also be looking for online streaming coverage, and will post any links I can find.