Tsunami Alert! 7.5 Earthquake off Alaska Coast - LIVE BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE

THE LATEST: A magnitude 7.5 earthquake has just occurred near the coast of Sand Point in Alaska, and has prompted tsunami warnings for South Alaska and the Alaska peninsula that remain in effect due to the potential tsunami risk that the earthquake has caused. A drop in tide levels near Sand Point despite is now beginning to be proceeded by a sharp rise in tide levels that may be indicative of tsunami activity. A tsunami warning is still in place for the areas surrounding the epicenter of the earthquake, with Sand Point being the closest population center to the epicenter. 

Residents under the tsunami warning should listen to all instructions from their local weather office and local officials to ensure their safety as tsunami warnings remain in place and aftershocks are possible. 

Pressure rising in one reactor at troubled nuclear plant

Tokyo (CNN) -- Even as workers began to see some success in their battle to cool down reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Japanese officials said Sunday that they would have to release some radioactive gas into the air.

The country's nuclear safety agency said releasing the gas was a necessary step to reduce mounting pressure in reactor No. 3's containment vessel -- the steel and concrete shell that insulates radioactive material inside.

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Helicopters dump water on nuclear (reactors) plant in Japan

Helicopters dumped water Thursday on and near the Nos. 3 and 4 units at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the latest attempt to halt the nuclear accident that appeared to be spinning out of control. The helicopters belong to the nation's self-defense forces, public broadcaster NHK reported.

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Radiation levels spike at Japanese nuclear plant

Japanese authorities trying to stave off meltdowns at an earthquake-damaged nuclear power plant reported more grim news Tuesday as radiation levels soared following another explosion at an overheating reactor.

The risk of further releases of radioactive material from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains "very high," Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tuesday. In addition to an explosion at the No. 2 reactor, the building housing the No. 4 unit -- which had been shut down before Friday's earthquake -- was burning Tuesday morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano announced.

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9.0 Japan earthquake shifted Earth on its axis

Scientists in Pasadena say data from the temblor will show how Earth is deformed during massive earthquakes at sites where one plate is sliding under the other, including the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Friday's earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan was upgraded to a magnitude 9.0 by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Kyodo News agency reported Sunday.

The agency's scientists probably had access to new data, said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Susan Hough. "If they've upgraded, I expect USGS might follow suit," she said, adding that it was not unusual for magnitudes to move up or down by 0.1, because large earthquakes can be tricky to measure.

"It's not surgical precision," she said.

Other details are emerging. The quake probably shifted the position of Earth's axis about 6.5 inches, said Richard Gross, a geophysicist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge, in an e-mail.

The temblor also should have caused Earth to rotate somewhat faster, shortening the length of the day by about 1.8 microseconds, he said.

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Another Japan nuclear reactor fails

Another nuclear reactor at the Fukushima No. 1 facility in Japan has lost its emergency cooling capacity, according to the Associated Press, bringing to three the number of reactors at that facility to fall prey to Friday's magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami. Added to failure of three reactors at Fukushima No. 2, the count is now six overall.

So far, the only reactor that seems to pose an immediate risk of widespread danger is one of the two shut-down reactors at Fukushima No. 1, also known as Fukushima Daiichi, which was disabled by an explosion overnight that destroyed the building housing the reactor and the backup cooling system.

However, officials with Tokyo Electric Power Co., which owns the facilities about 150 miles northeast of Tokyo, reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday that the reactor containment vessel, which houses the radioactive core, remained intact and that they were pumping seawater into the vessel to cool it.

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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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7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern Japan, Tsunami Alert Issued (Earthquake Today)

TOKYO -- A magnitude 7.2 earthquake has hit northern Japan, prompting the country's meteorological agency to issue a tsunami alert for the northeastern coast. It warns that a tsunami of about 20 inches (50 centimeters) will hit the coast around noon Wednesday.

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Major 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile — A magnitude-7.1 earthquake shook southern Chile on Sunday, prompting tens of thousands to flee the coast for higher ground amid fears it could generate a tsunami like the one that ravaged the area last year.

There were no reports of deaths or damage, and Vicente Nunez, head of the National Emergency Office, said no tsunami alert was issued.

"There has been no harm to people, no harm to property," Nunez said. "We will continue monitoring."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii also said a destructive Pacific Ocean-wide tsunami was not expected.

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4.7 Earthquake hit Mindanao, Philippines

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit Mindanao, Philippines this Thursday morning at 9:38 AM wherein the epicenter is registered at 70.4 km (43.7 miles) depth with distances:

* 104 km (65 miles) N (9°) from Hinatuan
* 108 km (67 miles) ENE (70°) from Butuan
* 120 km (75 miles) ESE (119°) from Surigao
* 842 km (523 miles) SE (134°) from MANILA

As of the moment, no injuries or damages were reported.

3 Minor Earthquakes Rattle Western Wyoming Today

Three minor earthquakes have rattled western Wyoming. The quake struck at about 2:10 p.m. and measured magnitude 4.1. Another quake measuring 4.0 hit at 4:20 p.m., followed by a 3.6 quake at around 8:45 p.m.

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3 Minor Earthquakes Rattle Western Wyoming Today

7.0 Magnitude New Zealand Earthquake, September 4, 2010 (Latest News Update)

Powerful Quake Strikes Christchurch

A powerful predawn earthquake struck near Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday, sending people into the streets as windows exploded and buildings crumbled. Emergency officials reported no deaths.

The Christchurch City Council declared a state of emergency in response to what it called "significant damage," just hours after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake rattled residents. The order allows authorities to force evacuations and prohibit entry into areas believed unsafe.
Roughly 100 people were being treated for minor bumps and cuts after the strong quake, hospital officials said. Two people suffered more serious injuries.

Source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/03/new.zealand.quake/index.html?hpt=T1#fbid=9zyCb-JNe-z&wom=true

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Other News:

A strong earthquake rattled New Zealand at 4:35 a.m. local time Saturday morning. The USGS posted a magnitude of 7.2.

The quake epicenter was four miles south-southeast from Christchurch, New Zealand, on the nation's south island. Local media reports there have been strong aftershocks and power outages throughout the city.

Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city with a population of approximately 372,000.

Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/03/new-zealand-earthquake-20_n_705040.html

Samoa Islands got hit by 6.2 Earthquake Today

An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck off the Samoa Islands on Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

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Samoa Islands Earthquake

4.3 Earthquake hits Northern and Central Iran today (View Map)

4.3 Earthquake hits Northern and Central Iran today.

Time: 2010-04-19 03:31:18.2 UTC
Epicenter: 56.76°E 37.62°N
Depth: 10 km

No damages or casualties were reported as of the moment.

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Iran Earthquake

5.3 Earthquake strikes central Afghanistan today

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit central Afghanistan early on Monday, the United States Geological Survey said.

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Afghanistan Earthquake

5.6 earthquake strikes Guatemala today

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Sunday hit western Guatemala, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake took place at 7:30 a.m local time (1330 GMT), and the epicenter was some 160 km west of the capital Guatemala City....

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Guatemala Earthquake

Papua New Guinea got hit by powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake today (View Map)

Papua New Guinea got hit by powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake today (View Map)....

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Papua New Guinea Earthquake

4.9 Utah Earthquake Hits Wyoming and Idaho (Earthquake Today)

If in fact a 4.9 earthquake occurred in Utah, then it will be the largest earthquake in Utah since 1992...

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Utah Earthquake