A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's west coast on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific region and sending coastal communities scrambling for higher ground.
Immediate Evacuations Ordered
Japanese authorities issued their highest-level tsunami alert for Ishikawa prefecture, where waves exceeding 1.2 metres were already observed. "Residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground," warned Japan's Meteorological Agency as broadcasters interrupted programming with urgent alerts.
Pacific-Wide Impact
The tsunami threat extended far beyond Japan:
- Hawaii under tsunami watch with waves expected by early Tuesday local time
- California and Oregon coastlines preparing for possible impacts
- Russian Far East authorities monitoring the situation
Critical First Hours
Emergency services across affected regions sprang into action:
- Coastal sirens sounded throughout Japan's western coastline
- US National Tsunami Warning Center activated Pacific monitoring
- Evacuation routes cleared in vulnerable Hawaiian communities
Meteorologists stress that the first tsunami waves are not necessarily the largest, with dangerous conditions potentially lasting for hours. "This is not a one-wave event," cautioned Dr. Emily Watanabe, Pacific Tsunami Research Center.
Transport Disruptions
The earthquake caused significant infrastructure impacts:
- Bullet train services suspended across affected regions
- Major highways closed for emergency vehicle access
- Airports implementing contingency plans
Authorities continue to assess damage from both the quake and subsequent tsunami waves, with particular concern for Japan's Noto Peninsula where shaking was most intense.
