A massive undersea earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, July 30, triggering tsunami alerts across the Pacific and prompting evacuations in multiple countries. The quake, recorded at a magnitude of 8.8, occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 19 kilometers and was centered southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Waves as high as five meters were observed in parts of the Kuril Islands, prompting Russian authorities to declare a state of emergency in Severo-Kurilsk. While there were reports of localized flooding, officials confirmed there were no casualties in the affected areas. The region also experienced volcanic activity, as Kamchatka’s Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted shortly after the quake.
Tsunami warnings extended across the Pacific Rim, with alerts issued in Japan, the United States, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, and Australia. Japanese authorities ordered the evacuation of approximately 1.9 million residents across 21 prefectures, including Hokkaido and Fukushima. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that waves of up to three meters could reach coastal zones and advised the public to stay away from shorelines.
In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center ordered evacuations for low-lying areas after early wave projections exceeded one meter. Honolulu officials activated emergency protocols and urged all residents in tsunami evacuation zones to move to higher ground. Later in the day, the alert was downgraded to an advisory, as waves between four and five feet reached some coastlines without causing major damage.
Along the U.S. West Coast, officials temporarily evacuated parts of California, Oregon, and Washington following tsunami advisories. Crescent City reported minor harbor flooding, but no injuries occurred. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed waves reached about half a meter and declared the threat had passed, mainly by late afternoon.
Chile’s National Emergency Office raised its alert level and began evacuating coastal communities as a precaution. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand issued advisories urging people to stay away from beaches and coastal waters, although both countries reported only minor wave activity.
Emergency agencies across the Pacific have since downgraded most alerts but warned of continued strong currents and hazardous conditions near shorelines.
