Staff Reports
In the tranquil slumber of night, when most folks are simply dreaming of the pristine coastlines of places like California and Hawaii, Mother Nature has a different plan in mind. An 8.7-magnitude earthquake has caused a stir across the globe. Off the coast of Russia, no less, this seismic spectacle has put several regions, from Japan to the American West Coast, on high alert. This is not your run-of-the-mill tremor; it’s a ranking heavyweight contender in the top ten earthquakes ever recorded. Naturally, this has set off a chain reaction of tsunami warnings and advisories spanning multiple countries and territories.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo isn’t taking any chances, taking the wise step of advising folks to evacuate to higher ground. With waves up to nine feet tall expected to crash into Japan’s shores, it seems like taking precautionary measures might not be such a bad idea after all. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, where the expression “hang loose” usually reigns supreme, residents are being told to hightail it to at least a ten-story building and plant themselves on the fourth floor or higher. It’s not every day you get advice that mixes survival tactics with a real estate lesson.
As for Alaska, Washington, and the rest of the Pacific Northwest, an arrival time for the waves has been penciled in like it’s an open house at an oceanfront property. With predictions outlining specific times for potential disasters, it’s almost like a test of who is paying close attention to their watches. Northern California should brace for the impact around midnight, and Southern California is on alert just after 1:00 a.m. It’s a reminder that living by the ocean isn’t always as serene as those postcard pictures suggest.
The aftershocks are not tiptoeing around either. We have tremors of 6.8 and 6.3 to keep everyone on their toes, as if the initial scare wasn’t enough. Once again, Guam is caught in this mess, too—our military base there must be thrilled. This event serves as a not-so-gentle nudge that nature doesn’t care much for zoning laws or military bases. It’s an equal-opportunity shaker.
For those snug in their inland homes, it might be time to play the good neighbor or concerned relative, reaching out to loved ones closer to the coasts. Pass on the warnings and advisories because, after all, the best part about facing natural disasters is having enough of a head start to say, “I told you so,” when everyone makes it to safety. In the meantime, those living the beachfront dream along the Pacific should keep one eye open tonight.
