Pacific on tsunami watch following powerful 8.8 quake off Russia

The Cook Islands Meteorological Service has upgraded its earlier tsunami advisory to a tsunami warning following the powerful 8.8 quake which occurred 133km south east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, off Russia.

Issued at 7pm local time it says based on available information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre hazardous tsunami waves of 0.3m to one metre in height are possible across the Cook Islands.

This may create strong currents and surges on beaches with sea levels higher than usual.

Authorities are requesting people to, remove boats and equipment from foreshore areas prior to 9pm this evening and move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours.

Citizens are also being urged to listen to local emergency response authorities and follow any instructions.

It says the first tsunami activity causing these strong currents and surges may reach the Cook Islands from approximately 10pm tonight local time.

Samoa

Samoa's Metoreology Office says the estimated arrival time of any possible tsunami waves to Samoa will be around 9.40pm local time.

This was generated by the powerful 8.8 earthquake which occurred 133km south east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia.

In a tsunami advisory issued at 4:30pm, it advises the public to exercise caution around coastal areas, and stay informed through official updates.

Tonga

Tonga's Meteorological Services has issued a tsunami alert for the kingdom following the powerful 8.8 quake which occurred 133km south east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, off Russia.

It said the estimated time of arrival of the initial tsunami wave to Tonga's coastline is about 9.25pm local time.

The service said actual arrival times may differ and the initial wave may not be the largest.

It said the public who are in the tsunami threat area are advised to prepare to evacuate.

In the capital, Nuku'alofa, schools in the area close to the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) building have been evacuated to the top floor of the building. The Commission building is one of the evacuation centres in Tonga.

Local media reports say there are now queues of people waiting to get into evacuation centres.

Mariners out at sea are advised to prepare move to deeper water.

Tonga's National emergency operation centre has been activated and remains on standby.

Fiji

A tsunami watch has been issued in Fiji for all low-lying coastal areas where strong currents are predicted.

The Mineral Resources departments seismology section urged Fijians to remain vigilant and stay informed.

An advisory says coastal areas could experience strong, unusual currents and unpredictable surges.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami watch for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Center says the potential tsunami impact is still being evaluated (as of 11:35am NZT).

It says if a threat exists, the earliest arrival for Guam, Rota, Saipan or Tinian would be 2.37pm Chamorro Standard Time (5:37pm NZT).

It says a threat to American Samoa from this earthquake is still under investigation.

The US Geological Survey said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within next three hours along some coasts of Russia and Japan.

The Tsunami Warning centres says tsunami waves reaching more than three metres about the tide level are possible along some coasts:

• Nothern Western Hawai'i islands
• Russia

The tsuami waves reaching one to three meters above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Chile, Hawaii, Japan and Nothern Hawaiian islands, and Solomon Islands.

An evacuation has been ordered along the coast of Oahu in Hawai'i, including parts of Honolulu following the massive earthquake.

Officials say the first of a series of destructive tsunami waves is expected at 7:17pm local Hawai'i time (Hawai'i time or 5:17pm today NZT).

The US Tsunami Warning Center says the danger may continue for many hours after the initial wave, and that wave heights cannot be predicted.

It says tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to one metre above the tide level are possible for some coasts of:

• American Samoa
• Chuuk
• Cook Islands
• Fiji
• French Polynesia
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Niue
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn islands
• Samoa
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Wallis and futuna

For Hawai'i

A tsunami warning has been issued for the state of Hawai'i effective at 2:43pm local time.

It says a tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in Hawai'i.

Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.

The estimated arrival time in Hawaii of the first tsunami wave is 7:17pm local time 29 July (5:17pm NZT, 30 July)

Other warnings

The Tsuami Warning Centre says based on all available data there is a threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

It says sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could be a hazard along beaches in harbors and in coastal waters.

It says the earliest estimated time that hazardous sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents may begin in Guam, Rota, Tiniana and Saipan is 2:37pm local time (5:27pm NZT).

It says recommended actions include:

• Persons in the ocean should get out of the water.
• Persons near the ocean should move away from beaches and harbors.
• Follow instructions as they are given by government agencies.

Hawai'i evacuation

An evacuation has been ordered along the coast of Oahu in Hawai'i, including parts of Honolulu.

Officials say the first of a series of destructive tsunami waves is expected at 7:17pm local time.

The US Tsunami Warning Centre says the danger may continue for many hours after the initial wave, and that wave heights cannot be predicted.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says waves reaching one to three metres above tide level are possible along some coasts of Guam, Johnston Atoll, and the Northern Marianas.

Waves reaching 0.3 to one metre above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Chuuk, Kosrae, Marshall Islands, Palau, Pohnpei and Yap.