NZ and Pacific on high alert as powerful quake trigger tsunami warning

Coastal areas around New Zealand are being warned to expect strong water currents and unexpected waves after a powerful earthquake measuring 8.7 hit the Russian coast on Wednesday, New Zealand time.

A national advisory was issued at 8.33pm on Wednesday by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), advising that all coastal areas of the North Island, Great Barrier Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and Chatham Islands are under threat.

Residents are advised to stay off the beaches and shore areas, and those on boats, live-aboards, and at marinas are urged to move ashore. Strong currents and unpredictable surges are expected to continue for several hours.

Earlier in the day, NEMA warned that most parts of Aotearoa would be affected, with the waves expected to arrive around midnight.

The US Tsunami Warning System has alerted regions in Russia, Alaska, and Hawaii about potentially-dangerous tsunami waves. A watch was also issued for the Northern Pacific, mainly Guam and other nearby islands in Micronesia.

In Hawaii, emergency sirens sounded, urging residents to leave coastal areas for safety.

American Sāmoa, a US territory, is under a tsunami advisory. Authorities warn that rising sea levels and strong ocean currents could pose dangers along beaches and in harbours. These ocean effects might start as early as 9.30pm local time on Tuesday.

The earthquake was reported to have hit a shallow depth of about 19 kilometres and was centred 126km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city located along Russia's coast. The earthquake's magnitude was initially reported as 8.0 but was later revised to 8.7.

Reports from Russia indicate some damage, with the governor of Kamchatka describing the earthquake as one of the strongest in decades. He says that a kindergarten building had been affected.

The first tsunami waves have reportedly impacted the Russian coast near Severo-Kurilsk, following a a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake that struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, New Zealand Time. Photo/Facebook/Mathrubhumi

In Japan, the weather agency first warned of a possible tsunami reaching heights of up to one metre along the Pacific coast, but later upgraded that warning to indicate that waves could go as high as three metres.

Cook Islands

The Meteorological Service has issued a warning about a possible tsunami, but it states that there is no immediate danger to the Cook Islands. They are keeping a close eye on the situation and advise everyone to stay alert and be prepared to move to higher ground or further inland if a more serious warning is issued. In Rarotonga, boat owners are moving their vessels to deeper water as a precaution, following advice from local authorities.

Sāmoa
Sāmoa has issued a tsunami advisory following an 8.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the Russian region earlier Wednesday. If any tsunami waves are generated, they are estimated to reach Sāmoa at 9.40pm local time.

Fiji

There is no tsunami threat reported in Fiji. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) states that it will issue a Tsunami Advisory within the next few hours.

Tonga

A tsunami alert is now in force for all of Tonga, Matangi Tonga reports. The Tonga Meteorological Service estimates the threat from a tsunami wave to Tonga's northern coastlines of Niua and Vava'u will start from about 10pm on Wednesday. It adds that other Tongan coastlines will follow this.

Hawaii

Commercial vessels have been instructed to leave Hawaii's ports, as the US Coast Guard has barred any incoming ships from entering until tsunami advisories are lifted. “All harbors in Hawaii have been closed to incoming vessel traffic. Vessels transiting within the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands or inbound to ports in Hawaii shall remain offshore until conditions subside,” a statement from the Coast Guard Oceania District says.

6.28pm

Water is reported to be receding in parts of the North Shore in Hawaii. The first waves are expected to hit the island chain imminently.

7.05pm

Governor Josh Green has confirmed that waves, some over five feet high, have hit Hawaiian shores. All commercial harbours have been closed, and flights in and out of the island of Maui have been cancelled, with about 200 people sheltering at the airport terminal.