However, it was lifted after two hours as no tsunami was recorded. In Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warning throughout the coastal areas of the country. The Hong Kong Observatory also issued tsunami warning on Hong Kong on that same time. About an hour after the quake, sea level readings from gauges in the epicentral region confirmed that a tsunami had been generated. A small 3 cm (1.2 in) wave was recorded at Legazpi in Albay province shortly thereafter, as well as further south near Davao City; slight sea level anomalies were observed in several other locations. Based on preliminary estimates of the magnitude, specialists noted that a significant tsunami could have been generated. A tsunami warning was issued within 8 minutes after the tremor for coastal regions of the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Guam, and Japan, as well as for the island nations of Palau, Yap, and Northern Mariana. A tsunami watch was at the time in effect for much of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands, Hawaii, and the Pacific coast of Russia. Most of the warnings and watches were quickly cancelled following revisions to the earthquake's intensity, although the warnings for the Philippines, Indonesia and Palau remained in effect. The tremor caused widespread panic in Eastern Visayas, where many inhabitants exited their homes. At the risk of destructive waves, officials in the Philippines urged remaining residents of eastern coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground.