The Latest: Powerful waves hit Russian islands and Japan after 8.8-magnitude earthquake
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying that bigger waves could come later.
Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake's epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Here's the latest:
Governor says Hawaii is ready for evacuations
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of 6 feet (1.8 meters).
He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. A tsunami of that size would be akin to a three foot (90 centimeter) wave riding on top of surf, he said.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves from peak to trough of 6 feet (1.8 meters).
He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. A tsunami of that size would be akin to a three foot (90 centimeter) wave riding on top of surf, he said.
He told a new conference that a wave that size could move cars and throw fences around.
'It can dislodge trees, that's why you can't just be out there. The impact is at great speed,' Green said. '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 Black Hawk helicopters have been activated and high-water vehicles were ready to go in case authorities need to rescue people.
'But please do not put yourself in harm's way,' he said.
Tsunami sirens sound in remote California city
The small Northern California community of Crescent City turned on its tsunami sirens to warn residents about possible waves.
'You are hearing a Tsunami Siren. We are under a Tsunami Warning. Please stay away from beaches and waterways. A predicted wave may hit at 11:55 pm. We are waiting on additional information about any level of evacuation,' read a post from the City Hall Facebook account.
The city in rural Northern California has roughly 6,000 residents.
A tsunami in 1964 caused by an earthquake in Alaska caused a wave 21 feet (6.4 meters) high to hit the city, killing 11 people and destroying its downtown.
Lines form at Honolulu gas stations
There were long lines at gas stations near downtown Honolulu, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline.
A Texaco gas station in the Nuuanu-Punchbowl neighborhood closed early so that workers could go home. The workers set out cones at pumps and turned away motorists.
Jimmy Markowski, on a family vacation from Hot Springs, Arkansas, ended up at the closed Texaco station after fleeing their Waikiki beach resort in a caravan of three cars carrying 15 people.
'All we're trying to do is just figure out what we're going to do for the next three or four hours,' he said. 'We've got water, we got some snacks ... we're going to stay elevated. This is our first tsunami warning ever. So this is all new to us.'
Honolulu resident Kale Aʻi stopped at the station after spending more than an hour on what would normally be a 12-minute drive from his home near the coast. He was trying to get to his grandfather's house further inland.
'I've always tried to be a little bit more cautious because it's better to be safe than sorry,' he said.
Larger swells hit Japan
A tsunami of 60 centimeters (2 feet) arrived at Hamanaka town on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate on the main island, up from the earlier tsunami of 40 cm (1.3 ft), according to the JMA. A tsunami of 20 cm (7.9 inches) was detected in the Tokyo Bay, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Shiji Kiyomoto, a JMA earthquake and tsunami response official, said second or third tsunami waves of tsunami had arrived. Kiyomoto did not say when tsunami alerts would be lifted, and said high waves may last for at least a day, urging residents to stay at safe places.
What is a tsunami?
Tsunamis are waves triggered by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides. After an underwater earthquake, the seafloor rises and drops, which lifts water up and down. The energy from this pushes sea water that transfers to waves.
Many people think of tsunamis as one wave. But they are typically multiple waves that rush ashore like a fast-rising tide.
Some tsunamis are small and don't cause damage. Others can cause massive destruction. In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, causing waves that leveled remote villages, ports and tourist resorts along the Indian Ocean across Southeast and South Asia.
Tsunami warning issued for parts of China
China's Ministry of Natural Resources' Tsunami Warning Center has issued an alert for parts of the country's east coast along Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces.
The warning forecasts that waves could reach between 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet).
Shanghai and Zhejiang are already under alert as Typhoon CoMay is expected to land in the Zhejiang province Wednesday.
'A series of powerful waves'
Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, said Tuesday evening he had not heard of any specific reports of damage from the tsunami generated by the 8.8-magnitued earthquake.
Forecasted maximum tsunami heights ranged from less than 1 foot to about 5 feet (less than 30 centimeters to 1.5 meters) across parts of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California, with higher levels projected in isolated areas.
The center said some places could still be feeling impacts from the tsunami for hours or perhaps more than a day.
'A tsunami is not just one wave,' Snider said. 'It's a series of powerful waves over a long period of time. Tsunamis cross the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour — as fast as a jet airplane — in deep water. But when they get close to the shore, they slow down and start to pile up. And that's where that inundation problem becomes a little bit more possible there.'
Hawaii authorities set up evacuation shelters at schools and community centers
Honolulu won't operate bus trips scheduled to start after 6 p.m. local time. Drivers still on routes after that and who are in inundation zones will head to higher ground.
'We want everyone to stay safe,' said Honolulu Fire Department Chief Sheldon Hao. 'Evacuate early so you don't put yourself in a tough situation.'
US National Weather Service warns people against going to the coast to look for tsunami waves
'This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,' the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area office posted on X.
The agency warned people could put themselves and any rescue teams that may be out at risk.
The Bay Area is under a tsunami advisory. Communities further north are under a warning.
Tsunami forecast to hit parts of Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The province's emergency preparedness agency said waves of less than 30 centimeters (less than 1 foot) were expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday local time. A tsunami advisory spans much of British Columbia's coast and the agency said 'multiple waves over time' were expected. The waves are expected to first reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m.
The agency said local governments should consider evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas near the ocean.
Mexico's Navy warns Pacific coast to anticipate tsunami waves
Mexico's Navy says waves between 30 to 100 centimeters (1 to 3.3 feet) are expected on the Mexican Pacific coast after the tsunami set off by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia's Far East.
In a report, the Navy's tsunami warning center said the waves will begin to reach the northern coast in Ensenada, near California, at around 2:22 a.m. Wednesday central time in Mexico, and it will continue south along the Pacific coast until it reaches the Chiapas states around 7:15 a.m. local time.
The Pacific coast remains under a tsunami advisory, and the Navy recommended people stay away from the beaches until it suspends an alert.
900,000 people under evacuation advisories in Japan
Japan's Fire an Disaster Management Agency said so far no injuries or damage have been reported.
The agency, in response to the tsunami alert, issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 residents in 133 municipalities along Japan's Pacific coast, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The number of people who actually took shelter was not available.
A tsunami of 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) was detected at the Ishinomaki, the highest detected so far in the aftermath of Wednesday's earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The strongest quake in over a decade
The earthquake at 8:25 a.m. Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japan and U.S. seismologists said. The U.S. Geological Survey later updated its measurement to 8.8 magnitude.
It appears to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the March 2011 quake off northeast Japan that was 9.0 magnitude and caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant.
Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured around the world.
Connections restored in Russian peninsula hit hard by the earthquake
Internet and phone connections have been restored in Kamchatka following the massive earthquake, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
Videos posted on social media showed the façade of a collapsed kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. No casualties were reported.
A port in Severo-Kurilsk, on the Kuril Islands in the Pacific, was flooded after a tsunami wave hit the area.
Russian news agencies quoting the regional Health Ministry said several people sought medical help in Kamchatka after the earthquake, but no serious injuries were reported.
Tsunami alert in Japan complicates transportation
Ferries connecting Hokkaido and Aomori on the northern tip of Japan's Honshu island were suspended, as well as those connecting Tokyo and nearby islands.
Some local train operations have been suspended or delayed as well, according to operators.
Sendai airport says its runway has been temporarily closed.
Tsunami waves detected at multiple points on Japan's Pacific coast
Japan Meteorological Agency says a tsunami as high as 40 centimeters (1.3 feet) has been detected at 16 locations as the waves have moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido down to just northeast of Tokyo.
Officials urge residents to use caution as bigger waves could come later.
New Zealand warns of 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges' along its coastlines
New Zealand authorities issued warnings of 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges' along all coastlines of the South Pacific island nation.
Waves were not expected to arrive until late Wednesday night local time, officials said.
The alert sent to New Zealanders' phones by the government emergency management agency said people should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbors, marinas, rivers and estuaries, but officials stopped short of issuing evacuation warnings.
Japanese nuclear power plants stop work
Japanese nuclear power plants along the Pacific coasts have suspended their work schedule in response to the tsunami alert, but so far no abnormalities have been reported.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said about 4,000 workers are taking shelter at higher grounds on the plant complex while monitoring remotely to ensure plant safety.
Its release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea is also temporarily suspended as a cautionary step.
Russian scientists call the earthquake a 'unique event'
The 8.8-magnitude earthquake was the strongest to hit that area in Kamchatka since 1952, according to the local branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
In a statement posted on their Telegram channel, they called the earthquake a 'unique event.' They said the epicenter was near a recent earthquake that struck the peninsula on July 20.
While the situation 'was under control,' they said there are risks of aftershocks, which could last for up to a month, and warned against visiting certain coastal areas.
Oregon officials say small tsunami expected to reach the state's coastline
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said on Facebook that small tsunami waves were expected to reach parts of the state's coastline starting around 11:40 p.m. local time, with wave heights between 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters).
It urged people to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas and to remain in a safe location away from the coast until the advisory is lifted.
'This is not a major tsunami, but dangerous currents and strong waves may pose a risk to those near the water,' the department said.
Oregon is under a tsunami advisory, along with much of the U.S. West Coast spanning British Columbia, Washington state and California.
___
This item has been updated to correct that wave heights are expected to reach between 1 and 2 feet, not 1 and 3 feet.
The Philippines warns residents of possible tsunami waves
Philippine authorities warned provinces and towns along the archipelago's eastern coast facing the Pacific of possible tsunami waves of less than 1 meter (3 feet) that could hit between 1:20 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. (local time) and advised people to stay away from the beach and coastal areas.
'It may not be the largest of waves, but these can continue for hours and expose people swimming in the waters to danger,' Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology told The Associated Press.
First waves hit Hokkaido in Japan and Russia's Kuril Islands
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido.
The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia's Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
19 hours ago
- Forbes
Sustainable Sydney: How Australia's Tourism Industry Is Leaning Into The Green
Cityscape of Sydney, Australia, which has numerous green tourism initiatives. getty Margret Campbell stands at the edge of Sydney's Harbor foreshore, her hand brushing the leaves of a seasonal wattle tree. 'This isn't just a plant,' says Campbell, her voice steady with purpose. 'It's a seasonal pharmacy in a huge supermarket and a teaching classroom. My ancestors lived sustainably here for 65,000 years. Now, Sydney is finally listening.' Campbell isn't just preserving history, she's helping write Sydney's future. As founder of Dreamtime Southern X, her Aboriginal-led tours fuse ancient land stewardship practices with the city's ambitious sustainability push. And travelers are taking note. 'Sydney is doing something special,' says Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at Internova Travel Group, which recently brought U.S. travel agents to Sydney. 'They're not just slapping solar panels on buildings. They're building a green economy that honors First Nations wisdom.' They're not just slapping solar panels on buildings. They're building a green economy that honors First Nations wisdom. Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at Internova Travel Group The numbers back him up: Sydney now ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region on the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability Index, with a score that leapt six points in a year. But this isn't your typical eco-reboot. From airport runways to art galleries, Australia's glittering harbor city is quietly proving that cutting-edge climate tech works best when rooted in timeless traditions. Aunty Margret Campbell, an elder and founder of Dreamtime Southern X, an Aboriginal culture tour operator, leads a tour around the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Aren Elliott A blueprint for Australian sustainability Campbell's tours reveal what sustainability looks like through a 65,000-year lens. 'Every plant, every rock, flora, fauna and marine life has its story and place,' she explains. "Modern Sydney's finally remembering that.' Her work dovetails with impressive progress: Sydney Airport now spends 24 percent more on Indigenous suppliers than in 2022, part of its 2030 net-zero plan. The new $344 million expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales has a six-star Green Star rating, using stormwater recycling and native plant roofs. The City of Sydney has slashed operational emissions by 76 percent since 2006 through building electrification and implementing energy-saving circular economy policies. 'It's not about going backward,' says Melissa Snape of tour operator Collette, which partners with Campbell's company. 'It's about using ancestral knowledge to solve modern problems.' A concrete jungle turns green Unlike other sustainability leaders, Sydney's innovations aren't obvious. There are no signs advertising the city's green credentials. And Sydney is a typical big city, a little edgier than Melbourne but friendlier than Brisbane, so people aren't exactly talking about it all the time. You have to look closer to find out how it's being sustainable. But the evidence is all there. At Sydney Metro West, tunnel boring machines chew through sandstone while running entirely on renewable energy. As one project leader noted, "It's engineering meets ethics.' In Surry Hills, boutique hotels like the one real estate consultant Sebastian Wade visited now source power from regional solar farms. 'They even composted my breakfast scraps,' he marvels. But the real magic happens where tradition and innovation meet. At Midden by Mark Olive, the Indigenous restaurant inside Sydney Opera House, diners taste lemon myrtle-crusted barramundi while hearing stories of bush-tucker foraging. 'Every bite teaches stewardship,' says McGillivray. Sydney's sustainability playbook reads like a tech startup's pitch deck — with a heavy First Nations influence. Sydney's ripple effect The impact of Sydney's sustainability efforts stretches far beyond the city's postcard skyline. At Voyages Indigenous Tourism, solar-powered resorts in the Outback fund health care and education for Anangu communities. Their National Indigenous Training Academy has placed over 2,500 First Nations people in tourism jobs. Even Australia's famous adrenaline tourism is getting a reboot. Adventurer Meeshka Brand found that Sydney's Blue Mountains trekking hubs now offer zero-waste climbing gear rentals. 'You rappel down sandstone cliffs knowing your dollars protect them,' she says. Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of ecotourism, but the innovations happening in Sydney are affecting the entire country. And their influence is growing. The road ahead for Sydney Challenges remain. Overtourism still strains resources, and critics argue green certifications need stricter oversight. Campbell is hopeful. A former schoolteacher, she says her tours are shaping how visitors see Sydney, and affecting the city's overall vision of sustainability. "It's bringing awareness to these issues," she says. But she says more needs to be done. In addition to working with tour operators and cruise ships, Campbell also offers tours to business and school groups. She teaches them the principles of the ancestors — that you can't take something from the land without putting something back – and the importance of rituals and tradition. It's clear that Sydney's voyage toward sustainability is only beginning. The signs of progress are there, whether you're visiting a museum or riding the Metro. In time, visitors will also discover the deeper spiritual connection that Campbell is teaching. It will no doubt come with more reflection — and with the sustainability initiatives that are starting to define Sydney as a tourism destination.
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Balinese for Sorry – How to Say Ampura Right
🪷 Balinese for Sorry – By Giostanovlatto Founder Hey Bali When visiting Bali, it's easy to be captivated by the rice fields, sunsets, and the sweet sound of gamelan. But under all that beauty lies a deeply spiritual culture with unspoken rules. Break them—knowingly or not—and you might find yourself in need of one powerful word: Ampura. In Balinese, 'Ampura' means 'sorry.' But it's more than just a translation—it's a cultural lifeline. One misstep around a temple, or accidentally stepping on an offering ( canang sari ), and you'll understand why this word is essential in your Bali vocabulary. There are countless tourist blunders that can be smoothed over with a sincere 'Ampura' and a respectful gesture (hands pressed together in a sembah ). Like the time a tourist tried to take a selfie inside a cremation temple. Or when a Russian tourist trampled six offerings during a melasti procession. Spoiler: 'Oops' doesn't cut it. 'Ampura,' on the other hand, might just save your soul—and your spot on the next airport shuttle. For deeper offenses, like mocking sacred masks or interrupting ceremonies, there's also 'Nyanggra titiang', which means 'I humbly ask forgiveness.' Think of it as the spiritual nuclear option. In Bali, apologies aren't just spoken—they're shown. A simple 'Ampura' without the right body language may come off as hollow. That's why a small bow, a sembah , and real eye contact can go a long way. Locals appreciate effort, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect. Not all sorries are created equal. In different regions or levels of formality, you might also hear: Nunas Ampura – used for priests or elders. Extra respectful. – used for priests or elders. Extra respectful. Lakar Nyeneng – casual 'my bad' for marketplace clumsiness. – casual 'my bad' for marketplace clumsiness. Punapi Malih? – North Bali's dramatic 'what have I done?!' Master these and you'll sound less like a clueless tourist and more like an honorary local anthropologist. Respecting local customs isn't just about avoiding side-eye. It builds connection. And when you show humility in the face of a cultural mistake, Balinese people respond with warmth, laughter, and sometimes… holy water. So next time you're in Bali and find yourself in a sticky cultural moment, don't panic. Just breathe, bow slightly, and say it like you mean it: 'Ampura.' 🔗 Want the full guide with examples, funny tourist fails, and pronunciation tips? Read the complete article here → TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Man Sees Girlfriend's Natural Hair for the First Time—Reaction Says It All
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The internet has shared in a joyous moment between a couple as a man saw his girlfriend's natural hair for the first time, and appeared to instantly fall in love again. Jessica Machado, 25, a model originally from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, now lives in Los Angeles, with her long-term boyfriend Nikolai Chuprovskii, 37, originally from Krasnodar in Russia. The couple have been together for over two years, after a meet-cute while she was working as a waitress and he asked if they served ice cream—which they did, but as a new staff member, Machado didn't know this, and told him they didn't. And so her future boyfriend walked away, ice cream-less. But Chuprovskii returned to the restaurant, this time asking for her number—and they've been together ever since. Machado knew there was something special when she let slip it was a dream of hers to go to Disneyland, and that she was working two jobs to help save money to visit, and "he bought the tickets that same day." "That moment showed me that when someone truly wants you, they'll do anything to make you happy," she told Newsweek. That said, Machado admits their relationship "comes with its fair share of challenges." "Interracial, intercultural, and multilingual," she said. "We speak different native languages—Portuguese and Russian—and neither of us is fluent in English. I have a bit more experience with it, so we're constantly learning and improving together. "It's not always easy, but it's made our bond stronger and our communication more intentional." Now Machado and Chuprovskii's relationship has gone viral for the sweetest reason, after she recorded the moment he saw her with her natural hair for the first time ever. Nikolai Chuprovskii reacts to seeing Jessica Machado's natural hair for the first time. Nikolai Chuprovskii reacts to seeing Jessica Machado's natural hair for the first time. TikTok @justfyj In a video to her TikTok account, @justfyj, posted in July and boasting more than 5 million views, she showed herself in the bathroom having taken out her braids, when Chuprovskii suddenly appeared in the doorway. She wrote: "POV [point of view]: My boyfriend seeing my natural hair for the first time after I took out my braids." Machado turns to him, and he stares wordlessly at her, taking it all in. And as she starts laughing, a smile breaks across his face, and he slowly walks over to her and brings her in for a hug. "He acted like he's never seen me before," she wrote in the caption. Machado told Newsweek: "That moment reminded me why, for so long, I struggled to accept my natural hair. Growing up, I was always told it was 'too difficult to manage.' But now, I see it as a beautiful part of who I am. "As many Black women know, our hair carries emotional and cultural weight. So for him not just to accept it, but to celebrate it, meant the world to me. He's truly a sweetheart." Machado and Chuprovskii together. Machado and Chuprovskii together. According to a 2016 study from The Perception Institute, one in five Black women felt social pressure to straighten their hair for work, and the majority of participants showed implicit bias against Black women's textured hair. The study, which questioned 4,163 participants in the United States, found that Black women perceived a level of social stigma against their natural hair. TikTok users loved the sweet insight into their relationship, awarding the video more than 600,000 likes, one commenter writing: "He literally fell in love again." "Did we just witness him falling in love again?" another asked, while one pointed out: "He had to lean back to admire the beauty." One predicted Chuprovskii "went ring shopping the very next day," as another predicted: "He's going to propose in about six months. I called it!" And as one moved commenter wrote: "That look would have healed my inner little girl." Machado, who also posts to Instagram under the username @ijessmach, told Newsweek she "never expected the video to go viral," describing it as a "complete shock." "I didn't think his reaction would touch so many people. Seeing so many comments from people saying they dream of this kind of love... it's a powerful reminder of how rare and beautiful mutual respect and affection are. "We're definitely not perfect, but we're very real, rooted in love, friendship, and lots of laughs." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.
