Tsunami warning issued across Pacific after major earthquake

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday (30 July 2025), prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

The quake, among the most powerful ever recorded, occurred around 80 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and has triggered evacuations in Japan, Hawaii, the US West Coast, Mexico, New Zealand and several Pacific islands.

In Russia, waves up to 4 metres hit Severo-Kurilsk, where a state of emergency was declared. Around 2,700 people were evacuated, and power outages were reported. Regional health minister Oleg Melnikov said: “Unfortunately, there are some people injured during the seismic event. Some were hurt while running outside, and one patient jumped out of a window. A woman was also injured inside the new airport terminal.”

Japan evacuated two million people, paused nuclear plant operations and reported wave heights of up to 60 cm. Alerts were later downgraded for most areas but remained in place in the north. In Hawaii, waves reached 1.82 metres, beaches were closed, sirens sounded, and Maui airport was temporarily shut. Governor Josh Green said the waves had not been “of consequence” but advised people to “lie low and watch TV.”

Tsunami waves of around 1 metre were observed in Alaska and California. Warnings extended to Oregon, Washington, Mexico’s northern coast and parts of Central and South America. In New Zealand, people were told to avoid the coast, and waves of up to 4 metres were expected in French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands.

Warnings were also issued in China, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Micronesia and the Solomon Islands. President Donald Trump posted: “A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”

The Kamchatka region is historically prone to seismic activity. The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk quake caused waves up to 60 feet high and killed over 2,000 people. Wednesday’s quake, now tied for the sixth most powerful on record, has caused no confirmed fatalities so far but continues to be monitored amid aftershocks and ongoing risks along coastal areas.

Tsunami warnings have been downgraded in several regions as wave activity eased in the past hour or two. In Japan, alerts covering much of the eastern and southern coastline were reduced to advisories, though warnings remained in place for northern areas.

In Hawaii, the evacuation order was lifted after no significant damage was reported, with the Oahu Emergency Management Agency confirming it was safe to return. Similarly, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that there was no longer a threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian or Saipan.