Japan Evacuates, US On Alert As Massive Russia Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Fears: Top Updates

Last Updated:July 30, 2025, 15:43 IST

Kamchatka Earthquake: A powerful 8.8 quake hit Russia’s Far East, causing tsunami waves and alerts from Japan to Hawaii. Check top updates here

Kamchatka Earthquake: Japan, Hawaii and the US West Coast were affected but no major damage has been reported.

One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off Russia’s Far East, triggering tsunami waves that spread across the Pacific and prompted widespread alerts from Japan to Hawaii to the western coast of the United States. Though no widespread destruction has been reported, officials warned the risk of dangerous currents and repeated wave surges could persist for more than a day.

The powerful 8.8 magnitude quake, centered near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, caused immediate flooding in nearby ports as panicked residents fled inland. In Japan, frothy waves reached the northern coastline while Hawaii’s capital saw standstill traffic as people rushed away from the shoreline.

Kamchatka Earthquake: What Happened?

The earthquake struck about 119 kilometers southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a Russian city of around 180,000 people. Originally measured at magnitude 8.0, it was later upgraded to 8.8 by the US Geological Survey, with a shallow depth of 20.7 kilometers. Several strong aftershocks followed, including one reaching 6.9 magnitude.

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Tsunami waves of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) were recorded on the Kamchatka coast. In Japan’s Hokkaido, wave heights reached 60 centimeters (2 feet) while parts of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands observed sea-level rises of up to 1.4 feet (under 30 centimeters).

Kamchatka Earthquake: Who Is On Tsunami Alert?

Tsunami warnings or advisories were issued across a wide stretch of the Pacific. Japan, Russia, Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations including Fiji, Samoa and Tonga were all put on alert.

In Hawaii, data from Midway Atoll showed wave peaks reaching 6 feet as Governor Josh Green said waves hitting the islands could vary in height and force, describing them as potentially “3-foot waves riding on top of existing surf." Emergency agencies placed helicopters and high-water rescue vehicles on standby.

On the US West Coast, tsunami advisories were issued from California to British Columbia. Oregon reported wave activity of 1 to 2 feet as authorities urged people to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas.

Kamchatka Earthquake: What About Evacuations?

In Japan, thousands of residents evacuated to emergency centers, particularly in northern towns like Matsushima. Officials warned that residents may not be able to return home the same day, with the risk of elevated sea levels lingering. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that “multiple wave surges" were still possible.

Meanwhile, the county of Hawaii lifted its evacuation order after tsunami alerts were downgraded to advisories. Authorities stressed that despite the downgrade, caution was still warranted due to strong ocean currents and the possibility of additional wave activity.

Kamchatka Earthquake: What About Nuclear And Infrastructure Safety?

Japan’s nuclear facilities remained stable. At the Fukushima Daiichi plant- site of the 2011 nuclear disaster- about 4,000 workers were evacuated to higher ground but continued remote safety monitoring. No operational anomalies were reported.

In Russia, the port city of Severokurilsk saw flooding as waves washed fishing boats into the sea. Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said no major damage was recorded but power was temporarily cut while the network was inspected.

Kamchatka Earthquake? How This Compares To Past Quakes

This earthquake appears to be the most powerful globally since the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake that struck northeastern Japan in 2011, leading to thousands of deaths and a nuclear meltdown. Only a handful of earthquakes in recorded history have matched or exceeded today’s magnitude.

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