They were accurate, just that the public isn't familiar with an earthquake of that magnitude and the associated displacement. Plus these figures are several days post quake, so more analysis has been conducted and a better picture is seen. I myself am quite amazed, for comparison it would be like the whole San Andreas fault rupturing. That is very large scale.
My daughter was just over with the new grandchild...I was showing her some of the videos..and our comments..she wants to know, while a tsunami is under the water..travelling fast ..till it nears shallows..what happens to a whale if it hits it?..fish food, right?