I am busy watching the devastating scenes coming out of Japan after a magnitude 8.4 (it has just been escalated to 8.9) earthquake struck off the north-east coast.

Currently about 53 Pacific countries are on a tsunami alert and I just watched the tsunami sirens going off in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The death toll at the time of writing is at 18 people just been increased to 26.

Currently, media reports are that Waikiki in Hawaii is on a heightened tsunami alert and it’s expected to hit in less that 1 hour.

I have just consulted the Hong Kong Observatory website but it seems that Hong Kong is not on the tsunami watch-list.  Here is the notice from the observatory (after the picture):

Tsunami Information and Warning

Tsunami Information Bulletin issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 3:55 p.m. on 11 Mar 2011.

A severe earthquake of magnitude 8.4 occurred near east coast of Honshu, Japan at about 1:47 p.m. on 11 Mar 2011.

The earthquake has generated a tsunami which affects the Pacific. However, it is unlikely that Hong Kong and the neighbouring coastal areas will be significantly affected. The rise in the local sea level is expected to be less than half a metre, which is much lower than the normal day-to-day tidal variation of about one metre.

Precautionary announcement:

1. Please stay tuned to the radio or television for further information.

Dispatched by Hong Kong Observatory at 15:53 HKT on 11.03.2011