A massive earthquake—one of the world’s strongest since 2011—struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early on July 30, 2025, with a reported magnitude between 8.7 and 8.8. This triggered tsunami warnings and alerts for a vast stretch of the northern Pacific, including Russia, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. West Coast regions. In Japan, a 40 cm tsunami was detected in Hokkaido. Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk saw initial tsunami waves, prompting evacuations, though no serious injuries were reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the tsunami, urging immediate precautions.
Russia: Kamchatka’s coastline and the town of Severo-Kurilsk were hit by tsunami waves up to 3–4 meters high, prompting emergency evacuation orders. Local authorities urged citizens to move to higher ground.
Japan: Following evacuation warnings, waves of 40 cm to 3 m reached the northern island of Hokkaido and other Pacific coastal areas. Sirens blared, and coastal residents were told to seek high ground.
United States (Alaska and Hawaii): The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed a tsunami was generated, with wave alerts announced along the entire Hawaiian coastline (possible heights of up to 3 meters, or nearly 10 feet, in some areas). Sirens activated in Honolulu; traffic jams and school/office closures ensued. Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands saw small waves, and advisories extended down the West Coast (including Oregon, California, and Washington), warning of waves 1–3 feet above tide level and urging the public to avoid beaches or harbors until the threat subsided.
Other Pacific Areas: Alerts were extended to New Zealand, the Philippines, Chile, Mexico, and the Solomon Islands.
Structural damages and power outages were reported in Russia’s Kamchatka region. However, as of the latest updates, no major casualties have been confirmed, and Japanese nuclear facility staff (including Fukushima) were safely evacuated as a precaution. Officials warned that tsunamis comprise multiple waves and danger can persist for 10–36 hours. Communities are advised to remain vigilant even after the first wave.