Huge Quake Off Russia Sparks Pacific Tsunami Warnings; Evacuations Ordered Across Multiple Countries
Tokyo, July 30, 2025 – One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, triggering widespread Pacific tsunami warnings and evacuations from Hawaii to Japan. The magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Petropavlovsk, on Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, at 8:24 a.m. local time (2304 GMT Tuesday), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed.
Russian officials reported that tsunami waves up to four metres (12 feet) high inundated parts of the northern Kuril Islands, causing flooding and damage in coastal communities. Local media footage showed entire buildings in Severo-Kurilsk submerged in seawater. Authorities evacuated the town’s 2,000 residents and declared a state of emergency in the Sakhalin region.
“Everyone was evacuated. There was enough time, a whole hour, so all people are now in the tsunami safety zone,” said Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov of the Kuril Islands district.
Several people in Russia sustained injuries, though none were reported to be life-threatening. Aftershocks, some as strong as magnitude 7.5, continued to rattle the region throughout the day.
Pacific-Wide Tsunami Alerts
The US Tsunami Warning Centers issued a Tsunami Warning, the highest-level alert, for Hawaii and other Pacific islands. Residents of Honolulu and coastal communities were ordered to evacuate to higher ground. “Do not stay near the shoreline or risk your life to see what a tsunami looks like,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned.
Authorities also issued advisories for countries across the Pacific, including the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica, Japan, French Polynesia, Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Tonga. Waves up to three metres were predicted along coastlines in Ecuador, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and Russia, while other countries were warned to expect one- to three-metre waves.
In Japan, thousands were evacuated from coastal towns, including Hokkaido, after the first wave measuring 30 centimetres was recorded. Emergency sirens and alerts urged residents to move inland or to higher ground. Fukushima nuclear plant workers were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
Historical Context
Seismologists said Wednesday’s earthquake was the most powerful to hit the Kamchatka region since 1952, when a magnitude 9.0 quake triggered a Pacific-wide tsunami. More than six aftershocks, including those measuring 6.9 and 6.3, have shaken the region since the initial tremor.
“This is a hazardous situation,” the Tsunami Warning Centers said. “Coastal residents must remain alert to official updates and avoid the shoreline.”
US President Donald Trump also posted a message on social media urging calm and safety: “STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
Evacuations and Safety Measures
Across Hawaii, tsunami sirens blared as people fled Waikiki Beach and other low-lying areas. Traffic gridlock was reported in Honolulu as residents rushed to higher ground. In Japan, beaches and coastal parks were closed, and in Chiba prefecture, rescue workers confirmed a security perimeter was established after whales were seen washed ashore.
Maritime authorities ordered all vessels in affected regions to head into deep waters to avoid the impact of tsunami waves. Government employees in Honolulu were sent home early as a precaution.
Ongoing Risk
Authorities warned that aftershocks and further tsunami waves remain possible. The full extent of damage in Russia’s Far East and the Kuril Islands is still being assessed, and international humanitarian agencies are on standby.
