Massive Earthquake in Russia Triggers Tsunami Alerts Across Pacific

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A massive earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, sparking tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Here’s what happened in simple terms.

Earthquake Shakes Russia’s Far East

On July 30, 2025, a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the strongest ever recorded. The quake, initially reported as 8.7, struck early Wednesday, causing damage in the remote region. Buildings shook, and a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was damaged, but no deaths were reported.

Tsunami Waves Hit Multiple Countries

The earthquake triggered tsunami waves that reached Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s Hokkaido. In Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk, waves up to 13 feet flooded a port and a fish processing plant. Japan saw waves up to 4.2 feet, prompting over 1.9 million people to evacuate. Hawaii faced waves up to 6 feet, and California saw smaller surges of about 3.6 feet. Evacuation orders were issued in Hawaii, Japan, and other Pacific areas, including Chile and French Polynesia.

Volcano Erupts After Quake

The Klyuchevskoy volcano, one of the tallest active volcanoes in Eurasia, began erupting after the quake. Lava flowed down its slopes, adding to the region’s challenges. Russian authorities reported no major injuries, but the situation remained serious with aftershocks expected.

Tsunami Warnings Downgraded

By Wednesday evening, Japan and Hawaii downgraded their tsunami warnings to advisories. Russia lifted alerts for Kamchatka and Sakhalin Island. No major damage or injuries were reported in Japan, and Hawaii’s governor confirmed no significant wave impact. However, some Pacific regions, like French Polynesia, stayed on alert for smaller waves.

Safety Measures and AftermathIn Japan, coastal residents fled to higher ground, and train services were halted. In Hawaii, traffic jams formed as people evacuated during rush hour. Russia declared a state of emergency in Severo-Kurilsk, where 3,000 people were evacuated. The quake’s epicenter was shallow, increasing its tsunami risk, but quick action kept damage low.

This event was the strongest quake since Japan’s 2011 disaster. Authorities urged people to avoid coastlines due to possible aftershocks.

News Source: AP News