News / Politics
Tsunami Warning Sends Thousands to Higher Ground
Thousands of residents have been sent scrambling for higher ground after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan.
Tsunami warnings were issued for those living along eastern coast of Japan as well as those living in Alaska’s western Aleutian islands.
A tsunami watch has been issued for Hawaii as well.
Officials from Japan’s Meteorological agency indicated a drop in the level of the tide after the quake struck the ocean’s seabed. Waves generated form tsunamis generally appear harmless in the ocean but can cause cataclysmic damage once hitting land.
It has been just over two-years since the earthquake that struck off the coast of Sumatra caused a tsunami that left more than 250,000 dead. That tsunami affected numerous countries including Australia, Kenya, Indonesia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Somalia.
