Whales wash ashore Japan's Tateyama City amid tsunami waves- Watch

Whales washed ashore in Tateyama, Chiba, Japan, as the nation braces for possible tsunamis after an 8.7 quake off Russia’s Pacific coast.

Whales washed ashore in Tateyama City of Chiba in Japan, as the country awaits potential tsunami waves after an 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the Pacific coast in Russia on Tuesday. A video of the whales was captured and broadcast on live TV in Japan.

Representational image.(Unsplash)

Here's the video:

After a tsunami warning was issued on the Pacific Coast of Japan on Tuesday, the first Tsunami waves started arriving at the coastal town of Hokkaido, in Japan's northeast, at around 10:40 local time, as per Japan's public broadcaster, NHK. The initial waves were around 30cm.

Whales can come ashore during tsunamis because of the rapid and dramatic changes in water levels and currents near the coast. While deep in the ocean, whales are typically unaffected by tsunami waves, when these waves approach shore, the water initially pulls back strongly, which can strand whales near the beach temporarily.

Authorities in Japan have issued an evacuation warning in multiple coastal towns on the Pacific coast.

"Damage due to tsunami waves is expected. Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building," the warning read. “Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted.”