An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami alerts across the northern Pacific
Flooded coastal areas of Severo-Kurilsk © Telegram
An 8.8-magnitude earthquake, followed by powerful aftershocks, struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia on Wednesday, triggering tsunami alerts across several coastal regions in the Pacific.
The quake, which occurred around 11:30am local time approximately 136km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, was the strongest in the area since 1952, according to the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The first tsunami waves have hit Severo-Kurilsk in the northern Kuril Islands, with eyewitnesses saying a fish processing plant was washed away. The local port was also flooded, tearing ships from their moorings and sweeping them into the strait. A 3-4-meter wave was recorded in Kamchatka’s Elizovsky district, Emergency Situations Minister Sergey Lebedev said. He urged people to stay away from the coast.
READ MORE:
Powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East sparks tsunami alerts (VIDEOS)
Waves measuring around 30 centimeters were also observed along the coastline of Hokkaido in northern Japan, according to NHK, with the authorities warning that subsequent waves could be higher.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for the entire US West Coast, as well as parts of Canada and Alaska. Tsunami advisories are also in effect for the entire state of Hawaii.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released an interactive map showing the quake’s epicenter and the spread of tsunami warnings, advisories, and threats across the Pacific.
Screenshot from US Tsunami Warning System website
-
30 July 2025
09:27 GMT
Hawaii’s tsunami warning has been downgraded to an advisory, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stating that “a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii.” It cautioned, however, that sea level changes and strong currents may still pose hazards to swimmers, boaters, and people near beaches, harbors, and marinas.
It's wild to see a Category 3 hurricane, a tropical storm, and a tsunami hitting near Hawaii all at once. That's a rare and intense mix of natural events converging on one spot.#Tsunami Hawaii, Honolulu, Maui pic.twitter.com/yfO2910PHH
— Jose M (@JMLV51) July 30, 2025
- 09:09 GMT
A tsunami threat alert has been issued for Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
- 08:57 GMT
New Zealand’s emergency agency has issued a low-level tsunami warning nationwide, warning of “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.” It urged people to leave the water, beaches, and harbors, and advised boaters to move ashore, warning against going to the coast to watch incoming waves.
- 08:48 GMT
The first tsunami waves have been detected in Monterey, California, according to NOAA data. The authorities have ordered evacuations for Monterey Harbor, Breakwater Cove, and nearby areas.
The tsunami has arrived at Monterey as of 12:48 AM #CAwxpic.twitter.com/IcFzUDeQRo
— NWS Bay Area ? (@NWSBayArea) July 30, 2025
- 08:43 GMT
China, Peru, and Ecuador have joined the list of countries with tsunami warnings following the Kamchatka earthquake.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources said waves up to 30 centimeters (1 foot) could damage parts of its eastern coast. Ecuador has ordered “preventive evacuations” in the Galapagos Islands.
- 08:26 GMT
A tsunami alert has been issued for Chile’s entire coast, including the Chilean Antarctic Territory, with residents in affected areas urged to evacuate to safe zones. As a precaution, the Ministry of Education has suspended preschool and school classes in all coastal communities from the Arica and Parinacota region to Los Lagos.
- 08:10 GMT
Tsunami waves have struck Orai in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, with footage online showing massive waves crashing onto the shore.
AERIAL: #Tsunami waves hit #Orai, #Japan after 8.8-magnitude earthquake off #Russia's #KamchatkaPeninsulahttps://t.co/gB1Ys4LlINpic.twitter.com/KJxqcNGnCZ
— ShanghaiEye?official (@ShanghaiEye) July 30, 2025
- 08:02 GMT
Tsunami waves up to 1.3 meters (4 feet) have been recorded at Kuji Port in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency says. A timelapse video posted online shows the sea level surge.
#TERREMOTO#TSUNAMI M8.8 Kamchatka Rusia ?? Japón ??Tsunami de 1m30cm observado en el puerto de Kuji.Timelapse clarificando la subida del nivel del mar en el puerto de KujiVía @nhk_newspic.twitter.com/ryvI2nxCwO
— Geól. Sergio Almazán (@chematierra) July 30, 2025
- 07:48 GMT
The earthquake off Kamchatka has triggered a tsunami on Kuril Lake in the South Kamchatka Nature Reserve. No injuries have been reported, the press service says.
Source: kronoki Telegram channel
- 07:38 GMT
Reports say waves over 1.5 meters (5 feet) have hit Hilo, Hawaii, with footage online showing flooding at the seaside SCP Hilo Hotel.
Flooding and inundation from tsunami wave in #Hilo#Hawaii#tsunami#earthquake#Russiapic.twitter.com/mAPhsGHjRg
— rye #BB27 (@ryebreadrates) July 30, 2025
More