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UPDATED: Japan Tsunami Warning Downgraded

15th November 2006 A small tsunami has hit northern Japan, according to the country's meteorological agency (JMA).

It said a 40cm (16 inches) wave hit Nemuro port in the Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido.

The JMA had initially feared a much larger 6ft wave.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Japan Issues Tsunami Warning
story issued: Wednesday 15th November 2006
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According to reports on CNN [www.cnn.com], Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.1 hit the Kuril islands north of Japan.

The quake struck about 390 kilometers east of the Etorofu islands north of Japan at 1115 GMT Wednesday, according to the agency.

A tsunami of about 2 meters (6.5 feet) or more could hit the Pacific coast of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido and main island of Honshu after 1210 GMT, the agency said.

The agency told residents along Japan's Pacific coast to flee to higher ground.

Further Information:
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center [www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc]

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