TSUNAMI HITS HAWAII

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of Russia on Wednesday, which led authorities in Hawaii to announce a tsunami warning for the entire island.

The warning forced cruise ships anchored in Hawaii to leave earlier, leaving some passengers behind.

A tourist group was visiting Volcanoes National Park when their tour operator informed them that their ship was leaving. Even with the warning, they knew that they wouldn’t be able to make it back and were forced to stay on the island.

At the time, the cruise operators made it clear that once the ships are given the all clear to return, they will be back for the tourists left behind on the island.

By Wednesday evening, Hawaii time, authorities lifted the warning but cautioned people to still be vigilant as larger-than-usual waves were still expected.

Although the Kremlin said there were no casualties, the earthquake was record-breaking and recorded as the sixth strongest ever.

Other countries, including Chile, the United States, Ecuador and Colombia, issued tsunami warnings that were later cancelled.

The earthquake, which struck Russia’s far eastern coast, created massive waves, and people on land could feel the earth shake for four minutes.

More than 125 aftershocks were reported during the 16 hours after the earthquake.

Image credit: Tovima