A huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, causing tsunami warnings in Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. The quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, led to evacuations but caused no major damage.
Earthquake Details
The earthquake struck at 11:24 a.m. local time near Kamchatka, about 75 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It had a depth of 13 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Aftershocks up to 6.9 magnitude followed, and the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano erupted, with lava flowing and explosions reported Russian Academy of Sciences.
russians were told not to evacuate since tsunami was going to be only 30cm total. They got hit with 3m tall tsunamis. pic.twitter.com/mBAFQQuYAp
— ITDUDE Fella (@The_Real_ITDUDE) July 30, 2025
Tsunami Warnings Issued
Tsunami warnings were issued for Japan, Hawaii, and parts of the U.S. West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Alaska. In Japan, people rushed to evacuation centers and hilltops, remembering the 2011 tsunami disaster Japan Meteorological Agency. Honolulu saw heavy traffic as residents moved to higher ground. Tsunami waves reached up to 4.9 feet in Hawaii and 3.6 feet in California’s Crescent City, but no significant damage was reported National Tsunami Warning Center.
#Tsunami warnings after the 8.7 earthquake in #Russia
— ShoneeKapoor (@ShoneeKapoor) July 30, 2025
Hope everyone in Hawaii stays safe.pic.twitter.com/dc3SMfEa6b
Global Response
Chile raised its tsunami warning to the highest level, evacuating coastal areas Chilean Government. Colombia closed beaches, and Ecuador canceled school classes in coastal regions. Most warnings were later downgraded as the tsunami threat lessened.
Minimal Damage Reported
In Russia, a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was damaged but empty due to renovations. No deaths were reported, and injuries were minor. Japan saw waves up to 1.3 meters but no major harm NHK Japan. The U.S. West Coast experienced minor tidal surges, with Crescent City reporting 3.6-foot waves.
Staying Safe
Authorities urge people to stay away from beaches and follow official instructions during tsunami alerts. Tsunami waves can arrive hours after the first wave, so vigilance is key. Visit tsunami.gov for the latest updates.