Tsunami in Japan, Headed for Hawaii, Watch in CA

A major earthquake in Japan--now estimated at 8.9, with aftershocks in the 7. and 6. range--has caused devastating tsunamis in Japan that are rippling outward across the Pacific.

Among the many Pacific Rim areas expected to be hit is Hawaii, which is at the moment on Tsunami Watch. Tsunami sirens have reportedly been going off in Honululu.

The West Coast of the U.S. (as well as Mexico and South America) are expected to be hit with weaker tsunami waves. The Oregonian is reporting that tsunami waves are expected to hit Oregon and northern California coasts between 7am and 7:30 am, Pacific time. Right now the waves are expected to be 3 feet or less, but the situation is still very fluid, if you've been watching TV at all.

Here's the initial warning for Humboldt County from the National Weather Service. Updates will be issued hourly; find information at HTTP://TSUNAMI.GOV. (I tried it--it took awhile to load. I'd stick with the NWS site for now.)

The footage coming from Japan is amazing. I wish I could say the same for the reporting. But if you're hanging out on the Internet and you're in a vulnerable area, you should check out relevant sites and TV news.