Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings Across Pacific

: July 30, 2025

Summary

A powerful magnitude 8.7 to 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific region, from Kamchatka and Japan to Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. West Coast, Guam, and Micronesia.

Impact & Response

Russia – Kamchatka & Severo‑Kurilsk

• The quake occurred at a shallow depth (~19–20 km), located about 125 km southeast of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky.
• Tsunami waves between 3–4 meters (10–13 ft) struck parts of Kamchatka and Severo‑Kurilsk, causing damage including to a kindergarten.
• No fatalities reported; several injuries sustained during evacuation efforts.

Japan

• The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for eastern and northeastern coastal regions, with projected waves up to 3 meters, though most observed waves were around 1 meter (40 cm in Hokkaido).
• More than 900,000 residents were evacuated from coastal areas. Personnel at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant were relocated to safer locations; no irregularities reported.

United States & Pacific Islands

• The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for coastal areas of Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Guam.
• Coastal evacuations began in Hawaii, with warnings of “destructive waves” and high currents.
• Micronesia, Guam, Canada’s British Columbia, as well as parts of Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and New Zealand, were placed under tsunami watch.

Key Facts at a Glance

Statistic

Details

Magnitude

8.7–8.8 (final revised figure)

Location

~125 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Depth

~19–20 km

Max Wave Height

 3–4 m in Kamchatka; ~1 m in parts of Japan

Evacuated

~900,000+ in Japan plus coastal residents across Pacific

Geological Context & Outlook

• The Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for recurrent seismic and volcanic activity.
•  is considered the strongest in the region since 1952, with historic quakes in 1952 and 1841 recorded up to magnitude 9.0 and generating massive tsunamis.
• Aftershocks of magnitude 6–7 are expected, though no stronger temblors are likely in the immediate future.
• Officials are urging again that residents avoid coastal and marine areas until all warnings are lifted.

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