Updated Reports from many parts of the Pacific say the tsunami expected in the wake of Japan's earthquake has not eventuated. The tsunami generated by the quake rolled across the Pacific at 800 kilometres an hour, as fast as a jetliner, hitting the US west coast this morning. Thousands fled their homes along the California coast, but only two towns in northern California suffered any significant damage to boats and harbour areas. The US Coast Guard is searching for one man swept out to sea after he and two friends went down to the coastline to photograph incoming tsunami waves. A series of four tsunami waves hit the Hawaiian island of Oahu, but no injuries or property damage were reported. Many residents in Tonga fled to higher ground ahead of the expected 5:00am arrival of the wave, however Radio Tonga journalists say the waters have remained calm. In Papua New Guinea, authorities say there has been no sign of a tsunami, nor has Marshall Islands been affected. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reports waves of between 20 to 70 centimetres were expected on islands such as Nauru, Kiribati's Tarawa, Fiji and Vanuatu. The alert has since been lifted in most parts, including the Philippines, Australia and China, however New Zealand has upgraded its tsunami warning this morning. Several Latin American countries are also preparing for the coming wave. Ecuador has declared a state of emergency and urged residents to move inland. In Chile, where an earthquake and tsunami killed 500 people a year ago, officials have ordered the evacuation of coastal areas. Peruvian officials say they are waiting until late afternoon local time to decide if they will order evacuations from low-lying areas. Many ports along Mexico's western coast have been closed and officials say high waves hit the coast but there were no reports of damage and the worst is now over. Source: ABC News Australia
Pacific escapes Japan tsunami damage
