'Survivor' not harmed by Pacific quake, tsunami
Similar stories:•7.9 quake hits South Pacific, tsunami alert issued
7.9 quake hits South Pacific, tsunami alert issuedThe U.S. Geological Survey says a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake has struck in the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa. A tsunami alert has been issued for the region.
The temblor hit at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday (1748 GMT) midway between the two island groups. In the Samoan capital of Apia, families fled their homes amid severe shaking that lasted for up to three minutes. Local media reported people were fleeing to higher ground.
The USGS said the quake struck 20 miles (35 kilometers) below the ocean floor and was 120 miles (190 kilometers) from American Samoa and 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Samoa.
•Japan issues tsunami warning along coast
Japan issues tsunami warning along coastJapan's Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning all along its eastern coast after a strong earthquake hit Samoa in the Pacific Ocean.
The agency warned Wednesday morning of a possible tsunami up to about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) tall.
The agency warned the tsunami could hit all along Japan's eastern coast, on an area ranging from Japan's northern island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Kyushu island, with the Okinawa islands to the far south also included.
•Samoa police say 63 dead in tsunami, toll may rise
Samoa police say 63 dead in tsunami, toll may riseA police official says 63 people are confirmed dead in Samoa following a tsunami that smashed the southern shore of the South Pacific nation.
Samoan police commissioner Lilo Maiava told The Associated Press that police have confirmed 63 deaths, and officials are still searching the devastated areas, so the number of deaths might rise soon.
A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3 spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore early Tuesday on Samoa and American Samoa, flooding and flattening villages, killing dozens of people and leaving scores of others missing.
•Samoa, American Samoa at a glance
Samoa, American Samoa at a glanceKey facts on the Independent State of Samoa and the U.S. territory of American Samoa:
American Samoa:
- Located about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1,600 miles northeast of New Zealand.
LOS ANGELES -- "Survivor" is safe in Samoa.
A spokeswoman for the CBS reality show says no crew members were harmed by the powerful earthquake that struck the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa around dawn Tuesday, sending large tsunami waves ashore.
The earthquake, with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3, had no effect on the production of the 20th season, which the spokeswoman said was not being filmed at the time.
The 19th season was also filmed in Samoa.