Earthquake and Tsunami NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU JAPAN
Strong earthquakes hit the Tohoku Region in the afternoon of March 11, triggering several meter high tsunami waves that caused massive destruction in areas along the Pacific coast of eastern Japan, especially in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures.
The Japanese archipelago is located in an area where several continental and oceanic plates meet. This is the cause of frequent earthquakes and the presence of many volcanoes and hot springs across Japan. If earthquakes occur below or close to the ocean, they may trigger tidal waves (tsunami).
The earthquake itself caused scattered fires and destruction across the eastern Tohoku and eastern Kanto area, but there is no widespread damage in any major city as seen in Kobe in 1995. The tsunami, however, caused extensive damage in coastal areas along the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan.
Effect on transportation
Tokyo's Narita Airport was closed temporarily but can be expected to re-open in the near future. Tokyo's Haneda Airport was re-opened partially a few hours after the earthquake. Sendai Airport was hit by the tsunami and is likely to remain closed for some time to come.
Many shinkansen and train lines in Eastern Japan were stopped and remain out of service or have delays. It would not be surprising if some shinkansen lines in northeastern Japan remained out of service for a couple of days, especially the Tohoku Shinkansen. However, it does not seem that any shinkansen line suffered any major damage. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka has already resumed operation.
Effect on trips to Japan
The effect on tourist activities (apart from short term transportation issues) is likely to be rather low. Among major tourist spots, Matsushima lies in the coastal area that got badly hit by tsunami, but no details about eventual damage are available yet. Central Sendai did not suffer widespread damage. There is currently no information on any other major tourist destination affected.
After shocks can be expected to continue for several days in the Tohoku Region.
Overall, however, there is little reason to change or cancel travel plans for Japan unless you were planning to visit the coastal areas of the eastern Tohoku Region.
Hawaii and Guam residents told to leave coastal areas
* Tsunami could wash over some Pacific islands - Red Cross (Adds Guam details, Red Cross warning)
By Suzanne Roig and Jorene Barut
HONOLULU, March 10 (Reuters) - Hawaii ordered evacuations from coastal areas due to the threat of a tidal wave set off by Friday's earthquake in Japan as a tsunami warning was extended to the whole of the Pacific basin, except mainland United States and Canada.
Authorities also ordered evacuation from low-lying areas on the U.S. island territory of Guam in the western Pacific, where residents there were urged to move at least 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level and 100 feet (30 meters) inland.
Tsunami Alert
Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan.
The Japanese archipelago is located in an area where several continental and oceanic plates meet. This is the cause of frequent earthquakes and the presence of many volcanoes and hot springs across Japan. If earthquakes occur below or close to the ocean, they may trigger tidal waves (tsunami).
The earthquake itself caused scattered fires and destruction across the eastern Tohoku and eastern Kanto area, but there is no widespread damage in any major city as seen in Kobe in 1995. The tsunami, however, caused extensive damage in coastal areas along the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan.
Effect on transportation
Tokyo's Narita Airport was closed temporarily but can be expected to re-open in the near future. Tokyo's Haneda Airport was re-opened partially a few hours after the earthquake. Sendai Airport was hit by the tsunami and is likely to remain closed for some time to come.
Many shinkansen and train lines in Eastern Japan were stopped and remain out of service or have delays. It would not be surprising if some shinkansen lines in northeastern Japan remained out of service for a couple of days, especially the Tohoku Shinkansen. However, it does not seem that any shinkansen line suffered any major damage. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka has already resumed operation.
Effect on trips to Japan
The effect on tourist activities (apart from short term transportation issues) is likely to be rather low. Among major tourist spots, Matsushima lies in the coastal area that got badly hit by tsunami, but no details about eventual damage are available yet. Central Sendai did not suffer widespread damage. There is currently no information on any other major tourist destination affected.
After shocks can be expected to continue for several days in the Tohoku Region.
Overall, however, there is little reason to change or cancel travel plans for Japan unless you were planning to visit the coastal areas of the eastern Tohoku Region.
Hawaii and Guam residents told to leave coastal areas
* Tsunami could wash over some Pacific islands - Red Cross (Adds Guam details, Red Cross warning)
By Suzanne Roig and Jorene Barut
HONOLULU, March 10 (Reuters) - Hawaii ordered evacuations from coastal areas due to the threat of a tidal wave set off by Friday's earthquake in Japan as a tsunami warning was extended to the whole of the Pacific basin, except mainland United States and Canada.
Authorities also ordered evacuation from low-lying areas on the U.S. island territory of Guam in the western Pacific, where residents there were urged to move at least 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level and 100 feet (30 meters) inland.
Tsunami Alert
Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan.
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