A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked off Russia's eastern coast on Wednesday, sending tsunami waves onto Japan's Kuril Islands as well as to the northern island of Hokkaido.
The Associated Press reports that tsunami warnings have been expanded to some areas of the United States, including California, Alaska, and Hawaii, in addition to coastal areas near New Zealand.
Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that tsunami waves up to 50 centimeters struck Ishinomaki port in Miyagi Prefecture, on the nation's eastern coast.
This was the highest recorded wave so far. Wave activity up to 40 centimeters was reported at sixteen other points, with the surges moving down the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to areas north of Tokyo.
Authorities continue to urge residents in affected regions to remain vigilant, warning that stronger waves could still be approaching.
A bizarre twist after the earthquake occurred when four huge whales were found stranded on the Japanese coast. A video that circulated in the media featured the enormous sea creatures lined up motionless on land as waves came in and went out. BNO News posted images of the scene, which showed the eerie aftermath of the earthquake.
NHK World warned before that tsunami waves carry much stronger power than regular waves. Even waves only 50 centimeters high can push forces of up to 200 kilograms.
Seismologist Sakai Shinichi at the University of Tokyo explained to Al Jazeera that tsunamis caused by earthquakes offshore around the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula have brought extensive destruction to Japan in the past. "Previously, major earthquakes have taken place off the coast of the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka Peninsula and tsunamis caused by these have reached Japan and caused widespread damage. For instance, the 1952 earthquake," Sakai added.
He said the seismic and tsunami activity witnessed on Wednesday looks like the 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake, which had hit the vicinity of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the remote eastern part of Russia. The tremor also caused heavy damage and a massive tsunami.
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