Tidal wave fear

Headlines

Hawaii

A TSUNAMI or tidal wave warning across much of the Pacific, sparked by a strong undersea earthquake off Japan, was lifted on October 5-The earthquake, measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale, killed 16 people in the Kurile islands and injured 200 in northern

Japan.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii, issued the tidal wave warning for all coastal areas and islands in the Pacific, including the west coast of North and South America .

Thousands of people from coastal areas of Hawaii were evacuat ed as a precaution, but officials later said the tsunami fizzled out before reaching the Hawaiian islands.

They said a 30centimetre wave lapped onto the shores of Kauai, the westernmost of the islands, and a slightly smaller wave came ashore on Wairiki Beach in Oahu.

An all clear was declared on October 55 allowing thousands of people to return to coastal homes.