Tokyo/Moscow, July 30, 2025 – A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, unleashing tsunami waves across the northern Pacific and prompting warnings across Alaska, Hawaii, and even as far south as New Zealand.

The epicenter of the quake was located 119 kilometers east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 180,000 on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake hit at a depth of 20.7 kilometers and was followed by multiple powerful aftershocks, including one measuring 6.9. Initially recorded as 8.0 magnitude by Japan’s meteorological agency, it was later upgraded to 8.8 by the USGS, making it the most powerful quake worldwide since the devastating 2011 Japan tsunami.

Tsunami Alerts Across the Pacific
The quake triggered tsunami warnings in multiple countries. The first wave was observed in Severo-Kurilsk on Russia’s Kuril Islands. Governor Valery Limarenko confirmed residents had safely evacuated to higher ground, and no serious injuries were reported.

In Japan, tsunami waves measuring 40 centimeters were observed in Tokachi, located on Hokkaido’s southern coast. Authorities suspended several ferry routes and temporarily closed Sendai airport’s runway as a precaution. Though Japan’s nuclear facilities, including the Fukushima Daiichi plant, reported no abnormalities, 4,000 workers took shelter on higher ground as a safety measure.

In the U.S., tsunami sirens sounded across Honolulu, urging residents to evacuate low-lying areas. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center advised residents to take urgent action to protect life and property, with the first waves expected to reach Hawaii around 7 p.m. Tuesday local time.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management issued a tsunami advisory for the West Coast, warning of waves up to 2 feet and dangerous currents. Canada’s British Columbia, Washington, and California also remained under advisory, although officials emphasized it was not a major tsunami, but one capable of creating hazardous conditions near water.

Regional Impacts and Global Response
In Russia, the quake caused damage to buildings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Cars swayed on the streets, and the city faced power outages and mobile network disruptions. Several residents sought medical help, though no serious injuries were reported.

The earthquake caused disruptions in transportation and coastal infrastructure across the region. In Japan, ferry services between Hokkaido and Honshu and local trains were temporarily suspended or delayed. Meanwhile, Philippine authorities issued warnings for potential tsunami waves of under 1 meter and advised citizens to stay clear of beaches and coastal zones.

New Zealand’s emergency management agency also warned of “strong and unusual currents” and advised citizens to avoid beaches, marinas, and estuaries. Though about 9,600 kilometers from the epicenter, the country remained alert due to potential surge activity.

Historical Context and Ongoing Risk
This earthquake is the strongest to hit the Kamchatka region since 1952, when a 9.0 magnitude quake struck and generated 30-foot waves in Hawaii. Though that event caused damage, it resulted in no reported deaths.

Geophysicists from the Russian Academy of Sciences stated that the situation is currently “under control,” but warned of possible aftershocks continuing for up to a month. Authorities cautioned against visiting vulnerable coastal areas.

Earlier this month, the same region experienced a series of powerful quakes, including a 7.4 magnitude tremor near Kamchatka. The pattern has increased seismic concern in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region known for frequent and intense geological activity.