A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. West Coast, Canada, and portions of South America.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake—tied as the sixth most powerful ever recorded and the strongest since Japan’s 2011 disaster—was centered about 74 miles (119 kilometers) southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 20.7 kilometers.
While early tsunami activity appeared to be less severe than initially forecast, experts emphasized that wave strength can vary significantly and remain a threat for hours. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to avoid coastal areas until all warnings are officially lifted.
In Honolulu, residents scrambled to prepare after alerts were issued, with Adam Jung seen pushing water and supplies out of a store.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green issued an urgent evacuation message: “You need to expect that there will be flooding on the islands and it will be imminent after the wave hits,” he said during a press briefing. “It will not hit one beach, it will wrap around the islands. If we’re calm, we’re going to be fine.”
Echoing the call to action, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi added, “We need people to stay calm but also to act accordingly. If you can get to higher ground if you’re in a low-lying area, please do that.”
Emergency shelters were opened across Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, while hotels along the western side of the Big Island evacuated guests.
Tsunami waves were first recorded in Japan, Russia, and Alaska. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, sirens blared as waves up to 60 centimeters (2 feet) were observed. More than 1.9 million residents were advised to evacuate amid warnings of further waves, even though initial surges were lower than the expected three meters.
Footage from Japan showed people seeking refuge on rooftops. In Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk district, a state of emergency was declared after multiple waves swept away boats and storage units, prompting the evacuation of nearly 300 residents from the port area.
Authorities in Kamchatka’s Yelizovo District reported tsunami waves reaching between three and four meters high.
In the U.S., the first confirmed tsunami impact was seen in Alaska, where a one-foot tidal rise was recorded on the volcanic island of Amchitka.
