Tsunami Hits Japan And Russia After Strongest Earthquake Since 2011 In Pacific: How To Stay Safe During Such Emergencies

8.8 earthquake in Russia shooked many countries in across the globe. Officials issued tsunami warning in Japan, Hawaii, Taiwan, Alaska, and Mexico New Zealand.

Tsunami Warning: Following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake that rocked Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, nations across the globe are on extreme alert for potential tsunami activity. The earthquake, which struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula around 8:25 am local time, made it the sixth biggest earthquake recorded on Earth.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) states that the tremors were about 136km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia, at a depth of 20 km.

What Is A Tsunami?

A tsunami is a life-threatening natural disaster, when giant waves that are caused by an earthquake or an undersea volcanic eruption, an underwater landslide or a meteorite.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a tsunami can travel thousands of kilometres with speeds up to 800 kilometres per hour. This led to many countries, like the Pacific coast of Japan, Hawaii, Taiwan, Alaska, California and coastal areas as far as Mexico and New Zealand, issuing a tsunami alert post the earthquake in Russia.

Tsunami Warning Safety Tips

In the event of a tsunami warning, the best way to stay safe from the tragedy of extreme weather conditions is by evacuating danger zone areas alerted by officials. Here are some Do's and Don'ts you can follow during seismic sea waves outlined by the Department of Homeland Security:

1. If the tsunami is caused by an earthquake, DROP, COVER, and then HOLD ON to protect yourself from the earthquake first.
2. Evacuate: DO NOT wait! Leave as soon as you see any natural signs of a tsunami or receive an official tsunami warning.
3. Ensure to get to high ground as far inland as possible.
4. Be alert to signs of a tsunami, such as a sudden rise or draining of ocean waters.
5. Listen to emergency information and alerts. Always follow the instructions from local emergency managers.
6. If you are in a boat, go out to sea.