Tsunami approaches 19 Philippine provinces (Map of Philippines)

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan has entered Philippine territory threatening coastal communities in 19 northeast and eastern provinces.


Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum said the tsunami or series of waves dissipated in strength as it crossed the Pacific towards the Philippines.

He said the waves could rise to up to a meter or less, and would hit Philippine eastern shorelines between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

"May ugong yan at malakas ang current. Along the shoreline, mayroong current. Kapag may ilog, pumapasok sa ilog," Solidum told reporters.
He added: "The stronger waves are going to Hawaii. We are on the side but we will still be hit. Definitely, the wave is coming here."

Solidum reminded the public to steer clear of the eastern coastline of the country until Phivolcs gives the all-clear. He said the tsunami reached 53 centimeters when it hit Taiwan.

Malacañang earlier ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents in coastal areas in 19 provinces expected to be affected by tsunami waves.

The 19 provinces under Tsunami Alert Level 2 are:

• Cagayan
  
• Ilocos Norte
  
• Isabela
  
• Quezon
  
• Aurora
  
• Camarines Norte
  
• Camarines Sur
  
• Albay
  
• Catanduanes
  
• Sorsogon
  
• Northern Samar
  
• Eastern Samar
  
• Leyte
  
• Southern Leyte
  
• Surigao del Norte
  
• Surigao del Sur
  
• Davao Oriental
  
• Davao del Sur 

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Tsunami warning issued for at least 50 countries after earthquake (Map of Japan, Ring of Fire, Pictures, Videos)

The threat of a tsunami prompted the U.S. National Weather Service to issue a warning for at least 50 countries and territories after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan Friday.


The wide-ranging list includes Russia and Central American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica and the U.S. state of Hawaii. The weather service's bulletin is intended "as advice to government agencies."

The National Weather Service list includes Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and the United States.

Numerous Pacific islands, including some U.S. territories, are also on the list.


Friday's 8.9-magnitude temblor in Japan was the largest earthquake since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Banda Aceh area of Indonesia on Dec. 26, 2004, causing a massive tsunami that killed about 250,000 people in 14 countries and washed away entire communities. The tsunami caused nearly $10 billion in damage and more casualties than any other tsunami in history, according to the United Nations.

The earthquake, initially reported as a 7.8 earthquake, was upgraded to an 8.9 quake.

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Breaking News: First tsunami waves push into Hawaii after 8.9 Earthquake and tsunami hit Japan

(CNN) -- Tsunami waves began rolling into Hawaii early Friday, with readings of between 6 and 8 feet expected in some areas following the giant earthquake that struck Japan. Communities along much of the U.S. West Coast were under tsunami warnings, too.



The first impact in Hawaii was felt shortly after 3:07 a.m. local time (8:07 a.m. ET), according to Hawaii State Civil Defense, which issued a tsunami warning.

At 3:30 a.m., television images in Honolulu showed an increase in water coming ashore.

The National Weather Service said the waves could hit Oregon and California between 7:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. local time (10:15-10:30 a.m. ET).

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