Guam, Pacific nations respond to tsunami threat

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake off of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30 triggered tsunami advisories, watches and warnings in Guam and across the Pacific. 

In Japan, waves of up to three meters, roughly 9 feet, were expected, leading officials to evacuate to higher ground. The tsunami's impact extended to Hawaii where waves of around 4 feet were recorded. In the Northern Mariana Islands, Gov. David M. Apatang, in consultation with the NMI's Homeland Security and Emergency Management, announced the closure of all government offices as of 12:30 p.m. In Palau, the National Emergency Management Office, called for an evacuation from the coastline areas throughout the republic. 

In Guam, while the government of Guam as a whole remained open, various government offices, as well as businesses closed as a precautionary measure. Visitors to Guam were advised to stay away from beaches and low-lying areas, said Mary Rhodes, president of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association. She said the information was shared as it was received from Guam Homeland Security. 

“We provided information to hotels, tour agents, and individuals,” Rhodes said. GHRA representatives joined a briefing Wednesday morning along with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Visitor Safety Officers, the Guam Police Department, and other agencies and organizations.

Rhodes said that once Guam’s alert was upgraded from a watch to an advisory, people on beaches were told to leave the water and move inland. Advisories and flyers were also distributed in multiple languages.  
Around noon, the Port Authority of Guam announced precautionary measures.

“The port will suspend all operations from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This includes the gatehouse and all terminal yard operations. Port staff are actively securing critical safety protocols, including tying down all three gantry cranes. Additionally, Port Police are notifying marine users and tenants in areas such as the Agana Boat Basin, the Agat Marina, Harbor of Refuge, and Family Beach. Port employees will be advised to evacuate and seek higher ground during this time,” the port advisory stated.

Rory Respicio, general manager of the port, said the crew secured the facility and completed a Matson job before closing.

“At the moment, we anticipate the arrival of another vessel, Galide, and will handle it according to established protocols,” Respicio said.

A little after 4 p.m., he said an assessment of the port for potential damage would be conducted once the all-clear is given.

The first tsunami waves were expected to potentially reach Guam after 2:30 p.m. According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, the time between tsunami crests can range from about five minutes to two hours. Dangerous tsunami currents may last for days.

At 3:40 p.m., National Weather Service Guam officials reported water level oscillations in both the Apra Harbor and Pago Bay tide gauge data.

“While initial waves have been small, we are monitoring subsequent waves for height and wave period. Midway Atoll recently reported much larger waves following the first two small ones,” weather officials said. At 4:24 p.m., they reported tsunami waves about 0.4 feet above normal sea level. mbj