Higher Waves, Strong Currents Hit California Coast After 8.9 Earthquake in Japan

Authorities are recommending residents avoid the California coastline Friday due to higher waves and strong currents in the aftermath of a 8.9 magnitude earthquake 80 miles offshore and northeast of Tokyo, Japan. One man who went to the beach near the Oregon border with California to photograph any possible tsunami action was swept out to sea and a search effort has been under way.

The earthquake near Tokyo hit at 2.46 p.m. Japanese time. Bodies are floating along the shoreline. Buildings, a train, a ship and many automobiles have been swept away as well. The death toll is expected to go into the thousands.

Many other people have been evacuated in the wake of a radiation release from a nuclear power plant. Authorities say there is little or no risk of human harm, but journalists are keeping a watch on the event. The plant is one of two nuclear power plants that automatically shut down there during the quake. The one that is under watch had problems with its cooling system.

San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant, north of Oceanside, is reported to be taking precautions. San Diego's coastline is reported to have seen little effect from the Pacific tsunami, with waves measuring about 2 feet higher, according to lifeguards at Carlsbad State Beach. However, the local threat could last until 8 p.m. Friday.

Waves of about 7 feet were reported around the Hawaiian islands at about 4 a.m. People along the coast were evacuated in anticipation of a possible tsunami.

The earthquake off Japan is reported to have released 8,000 times more energy than the recent Christchurch, New Zealand, quake.

Aftershocks can be expected in Japan for weeks. The 8.9 quake is thought to be the sixth-largest earthquake since record keeping began in 1900. There were several foreshocks north of Honshu in the days prior to the big one.

No damage was caused when high waves hit Taiwan. New Zealand downgraded its warning. In the United States, Oregon was the first to feel the effects in the aftermath of the quake. A tsunami warning, watch or advisory has been in effect for various parts of the coastline from the California-Mexico border to Alaksa.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Information Center is issuing all warnings for California.

The  increased its patrols along the beach this morning as a precaution. Nevertheless, people still went down to the beach to play, as shown in this .

Authorities recommended anyone in the coastal area to stay above 100 feet.

Many believe a tsunami is one giant wave. It is actually a series of waves. Tsunamis are not like regular waves. They are much faster, higher and are filled with debris. The San Diego Office of Emergency Services adds that “tsunami waves are not surfable. They are not v-shaped or curling waves.”

The County of San Diego released this info:

“The threat is expected to begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and will continue for 10 to 12 hours after the initial wave arrival.”

• People are encouraged to stay out of the water and away from the immediate coastline until after this event. 
• People are discouraged from going to the beach or harbors to view the event.
• The public can 211 for information. The City of San Diego also has a hotline: 619-570-1070.

Information from Patch editors Deanne Goodman, Shauntel Lowe and Michelle Mowad contributed to this report. International information came from the BBC, AOL, and San Diego's KPBS and KGTV Channel 10.