Russia: A devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering powerful 4-metre (13-foot) tsunami waves and setting off evacuation orders across the Pacific, including Hawaii and large swathes of Japan’s eastern coast.
The quake, which the US Geological Survey (USGS) classified as shallow at a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), was centered 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 people. It is the most powerful earthquake to hit the Kamchatka region since 1952, according to Russian scientists.
In Kamchatka, the tremor damaged infrastructure, including a kindergarten, swept vessels from their moorings, and partially flooded the port and a fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk. While no fatalities have been reported, several people were injured.
Governor Vladimir Solodov described the quake as “the strongest in decades of tremors.” Despite the powerful magnitude, most buildings in the region withstood the seismic forces.
Authorities confirmed that the situation remains under control, though strong aftershocks up to magnitude 6.9 were recorded, and power outages were reported in Sakhalin due to damage to the electrical grid.
The tsunami generated by the quake prompted the U.S. Tsunami Warning System to issue alerts for numerous Pacific nations. Waves exceeding 3 meters were forecast for parts of Russia, the northern Hawaiian Islands, and Ecuador. Waves of 1 to 3 meters were expected in Japan, Chile, the Solomon Islands, and coastal areas of Hawaii.
In Hawaii, the Department of Emergency Management in Honolulu warned of destructive tsunami waves, urging residents to move to high ground or seek shelter on the fourth floor or above of buildings.
US President Donald Trump issued a public alert on social media, confirming a tsunami warning for Hawaii and a watch for Alaska and the Pacific coast of the continental United States.
Prelim M5.7 Earthquake east of the Kuril Islands Jul-30 05:05 UTC, updates https://t.co/ygngWDCSze
— USGS Tweet Earthquake Dispatch (@USGSted) July 30, 2025
Japan’s Pacific coast, especially sensitive since the 2011 Tōhoku disaster, responded with urgency. Evacuation orders were issued for tens of thousands of residents, and tsunami alarms blared across towns.
Officials reported three tsunami waves along Japan’s coast, the highest measuring 60 cm (24 inches). No injuries or significant damage have been reported so far.
Kamchatka and Russia’s Far East lie on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ a seismically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tsunami watches remain in effect for coastal areas across the Pacific, including parts of the US West Coast. Emergency authorities worldwide remain on high alert as aftershocks continue and communities monitor the sea for further wave surges.
