US & Japanese airlines cancel flights as 8.8 magnitude earthquake triggers pacific-wide tsunami alert, travelers urged to stay updated
US airlines halt flights to Hawaii
Following the tsunami warning, US carriers including Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines suspended or rerouted flights scheduled to land in Hawaii. The airports affected include Maui (OGG), Oahu (HNL), Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH).
Alaska Airlines confirmed it is 'monitoring a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian Islands and portions of the state of Alaska and assessing our flight operations.' Flights en route to Hawaii were either diverted or returned to the mainland. A travel waiver was issued to allow passengers flexibility in adjusting their bookings. The airline added, 'We are monitoring airport conditions with government agencies and could see operational impacts.'
Japan records Tsunami waves, cancels services
Japan's Meteorological Agency recorded a 40-centimetre tsunami in Tokachi on Hokkaido's southern shore. Cities along Japan's Pacific coast were on high alert, with expected waves as high as 3 metres. Transport services in Japan were also disrupted. Sendai Airport closed its runway around 10:15 am local time and advised travelers to check with their respective airlines for updates. Ferry routes between Hokkaido and Aomori, as well as services from Tokyo to nearby islands, were temporarily suspended.
Japanese nuclear facilities reported no issues. Tokyo Electric Power Company confirmed that 4,000 workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant had moved to higher ground and were monitoring operations remotely.
Tsunami impact and emergency response across pacific
The quake struck at 8:25 am Japan time, about 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 20.7 km. It caused structural damage in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and disruptions in mobile networks and power. The strongest aftershock recorded reached 6.9 magnitude. Despite some people seeking medical help, no serious injuries were confirmed.
In Hawaii, tsunami sirens were heard in Honolulu on Tuesday evening, with the first waves expected around 7 pm local time. The PTWC stressed: 'Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.'
The sheer intensity and energy exploding from this quake. 😳8.7 mag earthquake in #Russia. Tsunami warnings and watches. #earthquake #sismo #tsunami #breaking pic.twitter.com/OZtCEvKqdN
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management issued an advisory for coastal regions, forecasting waves between 1 to 2 feet and warning of dangerous currents. Similar advisories were released in California, Washington, and Canada's British Columbia.
New Zealand, located about 6,000 miles from the quake's epicentre, issued its own warning for 'strong and unusual currents,' urging people to evacuate beaches and estuaries immediately.
Warnings and safety protocols continue
In Russia, the town of Severo-Kurilsk in the Kuril Islands experienced the first tsunami wave. Governor Valery Limarenko stated that residents had been safely moved to higher ground. The Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted this as Kamchatka's strongest quake since 1952. Authorities warned of potential aftershocks over the next month and advised residents to avoid coastal areas.
URGENT: People in Maui, Hawaii are trying to escape the tsunami and are BEGGING Oprah to open the private road on her property.She's reportedly still refusing.In a crisis, blocking an escape route is inhumane.#Tsunami #Maui #Oprah #LetThemOut pic.twitter.com/JeqeVwDcyS
The Philippines also issued alerts, warning of waves under one meter. Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology noted that while the waves may appear small, they could still pose danger to swimmers and coastal residents over a prolonged period.
What causes a Tsunami?
Tsunamis are triggered by sudden vertical shifts in the seafloor, often due to shallow earthquakes or large underwater landslides. As these waves move from deep to shallow waters, they rise in height and can cause flooding and damage along coastlines. This event marks one of the most powerful earthquakes globally since the 2011 Japan quake.
As of now, there are no reports of fatalities, but authorities across affected regions remain on alert as they assess damage and continue to monitor sea conditions. Airlines and emergency agencies are coordinating responses, and passengers have been advised to stay updated with official announcements.
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News18
a day ago
- News18
Watch: Japanese Vlogger Evacuates With Pet Cat And Bird After Tsunami Sirens
Japanese travel photographer documents his evacuation during Russia's 8.8 earthquake on Instagram, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness with pets. People of Russia were jolted awake when an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30. The massive tremors caused small tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska, prompting warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and the Pacific islands south towards New Zealand. Now, a Japanese man, living close to the ocean, captured the gravity of the situation by uploading a video on Instagram. In the clip, the man, a travel photographer and content creator, showed how he evacuated his home with his pets (a cat and a bird) in the hour of emergency. 'I live about a 10-minute walk from the ocean, so when an earthquake occurs, I always have to be mindful of the risk of a tsunami," he shared in his caption. The creator recalled that ahead of the earthquake, the government of Japan had already issued a tsunami warning early in the morning. When he stepped out of his house to check the situation, he found the people in his 'quiet neighbourhood… walking and running with large bags." Realising the danger, he too was prepared to evacuate quickly. 'This was my first time experiencing something like this, so I hadn't made any preparations in advance. My priority was getting my pets—my cat and my bird—out safely. I left the pancakes I was making for breakfast still sitting in the frying pan, quickly packed just a little camera gear into my bag, and headed to the designated evacuation site at the local middle school," revealed the travel vlogger. Residents were taken to air-conditioned classrooms inside the school premises, but pet owners were barred from the facility and had to wait outside. 'What I found unfortunate was that there were tourists at the evacuation site as well. They came here to enjoy Japan, and I couldn't help but worry that they might have felt scared by the experience," wrote the man. His key takeaways from the incident were being fully prepared for such disasters and creating a 'checklist for things to bring in emergencies—like food, water, and pet supplies" so that he can act calmly yet quickly, not only for himself but also for his pets. The internet mostly expressed its concern for the man. 'So glad you're okay", wrote one user. 'The fact that people with animals were not allowed inside is very unexpected to me. Also makes me sad and somewhat angry," admitted another. 'Hopefully, you can find out where to go with pets," wished one person. According to the local branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the earthquake was the strongest to hit the Kamchatka Peninsula since 1952. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
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- Mint
Watch: Japanese man grabs pets and flees mid-breakfast after Tsunami alert
As a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake jolted areas near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, tsunami alerts were triggered across coastal regions, including parts of Japan. Among the many who had to evacuate urgently was a Japanese content creator who captured his dramatic escape on camera. Yuu, a travel photographer based in Japan, shared a video on Instagram showing the moment he had to flee his seaside home just minutes after the alert. 'I live about a 10-minute walk from the ocean, so when an earthquake occurs, I always have to be mindful of the risk of a tsunami,' he wrote. In the now-viral clip, Yuu is seen preparing breakfast when he suddenly receives the evacuation alert. Without wasting time, he places his cat into a backpack, carefully secures his pet bird in a carrier, grabs his camera gear, and heads out. "My priority was getting my pets, my cat and my bird out safely. I left the pancakes I was making for breakfast still sitting in the frying pan, quickly packed just a little camera gear into my bag, and headed to the designated evacuation site at the local middle school," he wrote in the caption. He rushed to the designated evacuation centre at a nearby middle school, only to discover that pets were not allowed inside. While many residents waited in air-conditioned classrooms, Yuu and others with animals were made to stay outside in the heat. 'Through this tsunami warning experience, I realised I need to be much more prepared for disasters,' he later wrote in the caption. The video struck a chord online and gathered over 4 lakh views at the time of writing this article. Several Instagram users praised his presence of mind and compassion in the comments section. A user wrote, "I'm glad you and your beloved pets are safe." Another user wrote, "Hope everything got well and you and your pets are safe.I am so glad that your first priority are your pets .Please take care of yourself."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
What happens to cruise ships in a tsunami? The unbelievable science of the ocean
When a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's eastern coast, it triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, from Japan to the shores of Hawaii and Alaska. Cruise ships , often seen as floating fortresses of leisure, were suddenly thrust into emergency mode. Some ships immediately set sail for deeper waters, while others struggled to evacuate passengers amid growing panic. Many travelers were left stranded on piers, watching helplessly as their cruise liners sailed off without them. It's a moment that challenges the public's understanding of safety at sea. While many fear tsunamis hitting ships head-on, the unbelievable truth is this: the open ocean is actually one of the safest places a vessel can be during a tsunami. But once docked near shore, even the largest cruise ships face significant risks. Why deep water is surprisingly the safest place for cruise ships during Tsunami Most people envision tsunamis as towering walls of water capable of capsizing even the largest ships. But that's a misconception. In deep water, typically beyond 180 feet, tsunami waves can stretch over vast distances but are often only a few feet high. They travel fast, but without the seabed to lift and compress them, their energy disperses more horizontally than vertically. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo That changes dramatically as these waves approach land. As the water shallows, the wave slows, compresses, and rises, sometimes to devastating heights. This is when destruction occurs. In contrast, ships already at sea might barely register the tsunami's passing beneath them. According to maritime experts, it's this deep-water positioning that makes all the difference between a safe voyage and a potential catastrophe. Panic and chaos at ports when ships leave passengers behind As tsunami warnings hit cruise terminals in Hawaii and Alaska, time became a critical factor. Ships were given strict directives to vacate ports and head to deeper water immediately. What followed was a frenzied scramble. Social media was flooded with dramatic posts. One viral TikTok by @demifreeman showed passengers sprinting toward a cruise liner pulling away from a Hawaiian dock. 'Actually insane,' she wrote, adding that they were about to be 'in the middle of the tsunami.' Another clip, shared by @mandythecruiseplanner, captured a busload of distraught tourists arriving just seconds too late, left waving at their vanishing ship. These weren't isolated events. Cruise lines, fearing the force of incoming waves in shallow harbors, prioritized moving ships to safety, sometimes at the cost of abandoning passengers who were off-board during excursions. How cruise ships detect and react to tsunami emergencies Cruise ships are not passive observers during natural disasters. They are equipped with sophisticated monitoring systems that link directly to weather services and tsunami alert centers. Once a threat is identified, captains are briefed and given immediate instructions. These responses can include: Canceling planned port visits Delaying re-entry to coastal areas Rerouting to avoid impacted regions Activating onboard emergency protocols Cruise operators often maintain direct contact with agencies like the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and local emergency authorities. Some ships are even fitted with sonar and GPS-based sea floor monitoring tools that help anticipate underwater disturbances. Can a cruise ship survive a tsunami at sea? Experts say yes with conditions A cruise ship on the open sea is unlikely to be damaged by a tsunami. The waves at this stage are long and low, and large ships can easily ride over them without impact. The real danger arises if the ship is near a coastline or attempting to dock when tsunami waves arrive. Here's what puts docked ships at risk: Sudden and extreme changes in water height Strong currents pulling ships away from berths Floating and submerged debris Risk of crashing against the pier or other vessels The best-case scenario for survival is early evacuation to deep waters. Cruise captains are trained to recognize the signs and act quickly, but that doesn't always leave time for passenger recovery. The sobering reality for vacationers at sea This recent event has shattered the illusion that cruise vacations are completely insulated from nature's wrath. The modern cruise ship may be a marvel of design, but it is still at the mercy of the ocean. And while these vessels are equipped with top-tier navigation and safety systems, they must make difficult decisions in a crisis, sometimes leaving behind those who don't return to the ship in time. For guests, that means accepting that flexibility and awareness are just as important as sunscreen and swimsuits. Some vessels even chose to sail empty, leaving ports early to avoid disaster. The message is clear: nature, not the itinerary, sets the schedule. FAQs Are cruise ships safe from tsunamis? Yes, if they are in deep water, typically more than 180 feet from shore. In such cases, they can easily ride out tsunami waves. Can cruise ships leave passengers behind during emergencies? Yes. Ships may be required to leave port immediately during a tsunami warning, even if all passengers are not yet aboard. Why don't tsunami waves affect ships in deep water? In deep ocean, tsunami waves have very low height and long wavelengths, making them nearly undetectable by large ships. What happens to cruise ships docked during a tsunami warning? They are at high risk. Rising and falling waters, strong currents, and debris can cause significant damage. That's why ships try to leave port immediately.
