10-foot tsunami waves possible in Hawaii after massive quake hits Russia’s far east

Tsunami waves reaching 10 feet possible in Northern Hawaii

From CNN's Brandon Miller

The tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii says that tsunami waves reaching more than 3 meters (10 feet) above normal tide level are possible for some coasts of the Northern Hawaiian Islands, starting in the next couple hours.

The Northern Hawaiian Islands join Russia and Ecuador in the latest highest forecasted tsunami threat according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

This comes even as the observed tsunami so far in northern Japan has only reached about 1 to 1.5 feet in height, significantly lower than the 10 feet that were initially predicted there.

So why would the tsunami waves be expected to reach higher in Hawaii and Ecuador, located more than 3,000 miles and 8,000 miles away from the earthquake’s epicenter, than in Japan, which is located less than 1,000 miles away?

It has to do with the direction that the water was displaced, or pushed, by the earthquake under the ocean near the Russian coast. Tsunamis push out primarily in one direction, depending on how the fault line ruptures. It will spread out as it travels through the basin, but the highest energy remains in the direction of the rupture.

Seismologists are piecing together information based on the water levels they have seen so far have determined that the direction of the highest energy is toward Hawaii and then parts of South America.

The north and northwest facing shores of the Northern Hawaiian Islands will see the first waves around 7:17 p.m. HST (1:17 a.m. ET), and those shores should also see the highest waves in Hawaii. The rest of Hawaii is expecting waves up to 1 to 3 meters (3 to 9 feet) above normal tide level.

National Guard troops are on standby ahead of the incoming tsunami, Hawaii's Adjutant General says

From CNN's Karina Tsui

The US Coast Guard has already closed all major ports ahead of the incoming tsunami, said Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Logan, Adjunct General of Hawaii’s Department of Defense.

The general said Tuesday that he’s been in touch with the chief of the National Guard and that troops are ready to assist in the upcoming hours if necessary.

Two helicopters used for medical evacuations have been deployed, while other large cargo helicopters and the air national guard are on standby, Logan said.

Logan also added that National Guard troops and soldiers on all counties of Hawaii are on standby.

Flights suspended as tsunami warning triggers evacuations across Hawaii

From CNN's Hanna Park

Commercial flights at Hilo International Airport have been suspended to support emergency evacuations from nearby areas, including Keaukaha, as Hawaii braces for a tsunami, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

The first wave is expected to arrive at 7:17 p.m. local time, according to emergency officials.

In Kauai, authorities are asking the public to avoid traveling into Hanalei to keep roads clear for those evacuating.