A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula has generated tsunami waves that struck multiple countries across the Pacific, causing evacuations and damage from Russia to Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast.
The intense earthquake occurred approximately 85 miles off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at a depth of nearly 12 miles, making it one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, tied for the sixth-largest on record.
In the Russian district of Severo-Kurilsk, near the earthquake’s epicenter, authorities declared a state of emergency after tsunami waves lashed the coastline, tearing boats from their moorings and carrying away storage containers. The tsunami washed away large buildings in the town and inundated the shoreline with water.
Russian officials reported tsunami waves averaging 3 to 4 meters (10-13 feet) in Kamchatka, while the impact varied across affected regions. No deaths or major damage have been reported so far, though emergency services remain on high alert.
The earthquake triggered widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The National Weather Service issued tsunami advisories for Hawaii, the West Coast of the United States, and Guam, with officials urging residents in advisory zones to avoid beaches, marinas, bays, and inlets.
In Japan, tsunami waves have been smaller, ranging from 30 centimeters to 1.3 meters, while cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu as tsunami alerts prompted evacuations.
The US Tsunami Warning Centers warned that waves as high as 3 meters could hit Ecuador and Russia, while waves of 1 to 3 meters were possible in Hawaii, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Japan and some Pacific islands.
The earthquake’s magnitude and location in a subduction zone created conditions capable of generating far-reaching tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean. Emergency response teams across multiple countries have been mobilized to monitor coastal areas and ensure public safety as the situation continues to develop.
Authorities continue monitoring the situation as tsunami waves propagate across the Pacific, with evacuation orders and safety advisories remaining in effect for vulnerable coastal communities throughout the region.
