Earthquake off Russia's coast triggers tsunami alerts across global ports

A powerful earthquake off Russia’s Far East coast this morning has triggered tsunami alerts across multiple countries, affecting ports in the US, Taiwan, Japan, and other regions worldwide.

MAP: Tsunami impacted areas as of Wednesday. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula early this morning, approximately 136 km east of the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a tsunami warning for much of Japan’s eastern Pacific coast, following seismic activity. The first tsunami wave was observed at Hanasaki Port in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

The agency has warned that some areas could face waves as high as 3 metres.

Meanwhile, the Japanese meteorological agency has now downgraded all tsunami warnings to advisories, which are expected to remain in effect across Japan for at least the next 24 hours, according to local media.

Operations at several major east coast ports—including Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, Kawasaki and Nagoya—as well as western ports such as Osaka and Kobe, have been impacted, a source confirmed.

Ex-wharf supply at Nagoya and Tokyo has been suspended for the day, although operations are expected to resume by tomorrow, the source added.

Separately, Typhoon Krosa, also referred to as Typhoon No. 9, remained nearly stationary off the Ogasawara Islands on Wednesday morning and is expected to linger in the area through Thursday. The JMA has advised residents to stay alert for high waves and potential landslides.

None of the ports in the region have been affected so far by the typhoon, but they could be in the coming days, a trader said.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration has issued a tsunami advisory, warning that the island’s southern coast could experience waves between 30 cm and 1 metre, while other regions may see waves under 1 metre.

No damage has been reported at Taiwanese ports so far, according to a trader.

US

The US National Tsunami Warning Center has issued updated alerts following seismic activity. A tsunami warning is currently in effect for the California coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon/California border. In addition, a tsunami advisory has been issued for several coastal regions. In California, the advisory applies to the coastline from the California/Mexico border up to Cape Mendocino, including the San Francisco Bay. In Oregon, it covers the coast from the California/Oregon border to the Oregon/Washington border, including the Columbia River estuary coast. For Washington, the advisory affects the outer coast from the Oregon/Washington border to Slip Point, the Columbia River estuary, and the Juan de Fuca Strait coast.

In Canada, British Columbia is under advisory for the north coast and Haida Gwaii, the central coast, northeast Vancouver Island, the outer west coast of Vancouver Island, and the Juan de Fuca Strait coast. In Alaska, the advisory spans the southern coast and the Alaska Peninsula, from Chignik Bay to Unimak Pass (approximately 130 km northeast of Unalaska), and the Aleutian Islands, from Unimak Pass to Attu, including the Pribilof Islands.

The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that there is no tsunami threat for other US and Canadian Pacific coastal regions in North America at this time.

The primary ports in the affected regions include Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and San Diego in California. In Oregon, key ports are Portland and Coos Bay, while Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia serve Washington. Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Victoria are the major ports in British Columbia.

In Alaska, important ports include Anchorage, Dutch Harbor (Unalaska), Valdez and Kodiak. The Aleutian Islands are served by Dutch Harbor and Adak.

Other countries

Tsunami warnings or advisories have also been issued in several other countries, including China, Tonga, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. China’s tsunami warning center has forecast waves ranging from 30 cm to 1 metre along parts of the country’s eastern coastline. In Mexico, the navy has cautioned that strong currents may affect port entrances from Baja California in the northwest to Chiapas in the south. Peru’s navy has issued a tsunami warning for its coastal regions as well.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines have lifted a tsunami advisory that had been in place for several coastal communities. Russia has also removed its tsunami warning for the Far East region.

By Tuhin Roy

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