Major airlines pause flights and divert planes after massive earthquake off Russia sparked tsunami threat for US

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

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AIRLINES have paused flights and some planes have been forced to divert after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake which hit off the coast of Russia sparked widespread travel chaos.
Scores of passengers heading to Hawaii have been left waiting in airport departure terminals as they brace for potential impact of tsunami waves set to hit the island.
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Scores of passengers seen waiting in departure lounges at Los Angeles airport
Credit: Splash
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American Airlines flights to Honolulu have been delayed
Credit: Splash
Hawaii is bracing for waves as high as potentially 10 foot after the 8.8 magnitude quake struck off Russia.
The quake hit about 84 miles off the coast at around 7.24pm EST on Tuesday (12:30am BST) at a shallow depth of 19.3km (12 miles).
It is the 6th largest-ever quake recorded and the largest since the 2011 shake which led to a tsunami that caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Pictures show scores of travelers waiting for updates in Los Angeles International Airport.
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Departure lounges were packed as Americans heading to Honolulu were met with the message their American Airlines flight had been delayed.
And, Alaska and Hawaiian are among the carriers that have paused flights.
Some passenger planes en-route to Hawaii have been forced to divert.
Travelers are asking Alaska Airlines if flights to Hawaii will be canceled in light of the tsunami warning.
Meanwhile, bosses at Hawaiian have issued a travel waiver to all impacted passengers.
Those who are traveling between July 29 and 30 can reschedule their flight and they will not be charged.
Alternatively, passengers can cancel their flights and will be given credit, which can be used toward a new plane ticket.
What causes tsunamis?
Here are the facts... Tsunami is a Japanese word used to describe huge waves – generally on oceans, but sometimes in lakes or large rivers
Ocean tsunamis are caused by sudden motions, which displace a large amount of water
This is typically an earthquake, but it could also be a volcanic eruption or underwater landslide
A huge impact into water – like a large landslide or meteor – can also cause tsunamis
When an earthquake happens, huge tectonic plates crunch together
When the 'snap' eventually happens, this gives a large shove to water
This creates a tsunami that travels very quickly across the open oceans
As the ocean becomes shallower, the tsunami wave is forced upwards
This means tsunami waves typically grow very quickly in height (and slow down) as they approach the shallow shorelines near land
Tsunamis are typically a series of waves, rather than one single wave
As they approach land, these waves get closer together
One of the best ways to spot an incoming tsunami is a sudden retreat of coastal water
If the tide goes out very quickly, it's a telling sign that something is wrong
What you're actually seeing is the trough of the incoming tsunami wave – on a huge scale
The initial tsunami impact can be deadly
But tsunami flooding is also highly dangerous to life, damaging buildings, destroying infrastructure, spreading waste and disease, and drowning people
Travelers have been urged to check the status of their flights before they head to the airport.
Tsunami waves are hitting Hawaii and locals have been ordered to take urgent action.
One wave over five foot has been reported in Kahului, while a four foot wave struck Haleiwa, which is located on the north shore of Oahu.
Josh Green, the Hawaii governor, said six feet high waves hit Midway Atoll - located between Japan and Hawaii.
He warned waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and said there is a risk that cars and fences could be thrown about.
"It can dislodge trees, that's why you cant just be out there," he said.
"The impact is at great speed.
"Any any structure that gets loose and strikes the individual could take them out.
"And people can drown quite easily with the force of that kind of wave."
Green said Hawaii had not yet seen a "wave of consequence."
Around 200 people have been sheltering in Maui airport and all departure and arrival flights have been canceled, while millions received tsunami warning notifications on their cellphones.
"You are in danger," the notice said.
"Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now.
"Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return."
All commercial harbors on the island have been closed as a precaution.
Roads in Waikiki, Oahu are backed up with cars as residents try to head to higher ground.
Cars clogged up roads in Honolulu as drivers headed toward the mountains.
Areas of northern California have been put under a tsunami warning.
Crescent City, a village with 6,700 people, is expected to be the worst hit.
Tsunami warning sirens blared throughout the village on Tuesday night.
Crescent City was badly hit in 1964 when a 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck Alaska.
The majority of the California is under a tsunami advisory.
Meanwhile, waves in the Russian Pacific town of Severo-Kurilsk exceeded 16 feet.
The impact of the waves saw beluga whales washed up, prompting locals to throw water over the animals to try and save them.
Waves between one and three feet could hit Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru.
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Travelers stand by airport information boards at LAX
Credit: Splash
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Traffic was seen mounting in Honolulu
Credit: Reuters
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Roads in Waikiki were backed up with cars as drivers sought higher ground
Credit: AFP
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One man in Honolulu was seen loading bottles of water into his car
Credit: Reuters
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