A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves up to 4 meters (13 feet) and prompting evacuation orders across the Pacific region.
The shallow quake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian area. Tsunami alerts prompted evacuations along Japan’s eastern coast—the same region devastated by the 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. In Hawaii, residents in coastal zones were urged to seek higher ground or move to upper floors, while the U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours as the threat loomed.
“Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,” warned the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on X.
Tsunami waves of 10 to 13 feet swept parts of Kamchatka, partially flooding the port and a fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk. Officials reported boats swept from moorings amid the flooding.
HNL Alert: 07:00 PM 07-29-2025 – HNL Alert: Tsunami Warning 7:00PM UPDATE – Take Action NOW! Destructive tsunami waves expected at 7:17pm. Info: https://t.co/YRpptHbSzb EVACUATE coastal areas in PRIMARY EVACUATION ZONE https://t.co/b7LaKqkYVF pic.twitter.com/NPXIAZ62qK
— Oahu Emergency Mgmt. (@Oahu_DEM) July 30, 2025Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called it “the strongest earthquake in decades,” while Russia’s Emergency Ministry reported damage to a kindergarten, although most structures withstood the tremors. No fatalities were reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey located the epicentre 119 kilometres east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), later revising the magnitude up to 8.8 from an initial 8.0. It also recorded aftershocks up to magnitude 6.9.
Residents described prolonged shaking lasting several minutes. Yaroslav, 25, of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, said, “The building felt flimsy and light—it seemed like the walls could collapse at any moment.”
Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://t.co/wdFzeu1I0h for the…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2025Across the Pacific, tsunami alarms sounded from Japan to the U.S. West Coast. Tens of thousands were evacuated from Japan’s Pacific coast, including workers at the Fukushima nuclear site, which suffered a meltdown after the 2011 tsunami. Japan recorded waves up to 60 cm, with no reported injuries or nuclear irregularities so far.
The US Tsunami Warning System forecast hazardous waves over 3 meters for some Russian coastal areas, northern Hawaiian islands, and Ecuador. Other countries, including Japan, Hawaii, Chile, and the Solomon Islands, may experience waves between 1 and 3 meters. Smaller waves could affect much of the U.S. West Coast.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged residents to stay alert, tweeting, “A Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the U.S. Pacific Coast. Stay strong and stay safe!”
Kamchatka lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically volatile zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Russian Academy of Sciences confirmed this as the region’s strongest quake since 1952.
Danila Chebrov, director of Kamchatka’s Geophysical Service, reassured the public, stating that while aftershocks remain strong, stronger tremors are unlikely. “The situation remains under control,” he said.
