Chile tsunami to reach Asia Sunday: warning centre

Feb 27, 2010 (LBO) - A tsunami generated by a large earthquake in Chile could reach the coasts of several Asian countries on Sunday, with Indonesia first in line at around 0300 Greenwich time followed by Japan and Philippines, a US government warning said.

A Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) message says waves could reach Jayapura, in Indonesia at 0345Zulu time (GMT/UTC), Manokwari at 0405, Sorong 0433, Berebere 0452, Patani 0505 and Geme 0512.

The message said waves could reach Japan's Kushiro by 0435, Katsuura 0453, Hachinohe 0509, Shimizu 0557 and Okinawa 0610.

Waves could hit Philippines' Davo by 0527, Palanan 0559 and Legaspi at 0604.

National authorities of Australia and New Zealand, where waves are expected to reach on Saturday Greenwich time has already issued warnings.

The US warming covered a number of countries bordering the Pacific ocean including South America and island states.

The US government's PTWC warns that the first wave may not be the largest.

The full US warning issued at 1045 GMT is reproduced below.

TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 005
PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS
ISSUED AT 1045Z 27 FEB 2010

THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC OCE