Whales wash up on Japan's shores after 8.7 magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami
Whales have washed ashore in Japan after one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded. The 8.7-magnitude tremor struck in the early hours of this morning.
The quake occurred near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, resulting in a tsunami which has already struck parts of Hawaii, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and Russia's Kuril Islands.
A tsunami watch is also in place for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the US while the Philippines is also in the line of fire, The Mirror reports.
Footage from Japan has now emerged showing four whales washing ashore in Tateyama City, in Chiba. It was broadcast on live TV in the country, with the first tsunami waves hitting the city of Hokkaido at 10.40am local time (2.40am BST).
Whales can come ashore during tsunamis due to the rapid and dramatic changes in water levels and currents near the coast. When waves approach shore, water initially pulls back from the coast at a rapid pace which can strand whales near the beach.
Nearly two million people in Japan have been asked to evacuate to safer ground this morning, with the majority of evacuees coming from Hokkaido, Kanagawa and Wakayama prefectures.
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When the first waves struck Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, footage from Reuters and the Nippon News Network showed residents sheltering on roofs. On Wednesday morning, tsunami sirens sounded in certain areas of the island.
A warning sent out on phones read: "Damage due to tsunami waves is expected. Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building.
"Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted." Meanwhile, streets are in gridlock in Hawaii as residents try to evacuate to higher ground.
Pictures show long queues at petrol stations near downtown Honolulu. Flights into the holiday destination have now been cancelled as the earthquake continues to wreak havoc across the world.
US President Donald Trump warned residents on X to evacuate, writing: "Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii.
"A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information.
"STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!" Parts of South America, including Mexico, Chile and Ecuador, are also at risk according to various tsunami warning systems.
The earthquake is the largest recorded since 2011, when a 9-9.1 magnitude earthquake killed more than 19,000 people across Japan with tsunami waves reaching heights of 40 metres.
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