A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and prompting widespread tsunami warnings and evacuations across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Japan, and the U.S. West Coast.
The quake, which the Russian Academy of Sciences has confirmed as the most powerful to hit the region since 1952, occurred at 0600 GMT and was centred 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
In Russia’s Far East, the shallow quake caused structural damage and injured several residents, though no fatalities have been reported so far. Tsunami waves struck coastal settlements, including Severo-Kurilsk, where regional officials reported flooding at the port and a fish processing facility. Vessels were swept from their moorings, and infrastructure damage was confirmed, including at a kindergarten in Kamchatka.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described the event as “the strongest in decades” in a statement posted on Telegram. The Ministry for Emergency Services added that while many buildings withstood the tremors, emergency inspections were underway, especially in towns like Severo-Kurilsk and Yelizovo.
Several aftershocks, some measuring as high as 6.9, continued to rattle the region hours later, increasing anxiety among locals. Authorities in Sakhalin reported widespread power outages due to damaged grids.
In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported tsunami waves of up to 1.2 metres impacting the islands. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management issued a stark warning on social media: “Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected.”
Governor Josh Green confirmed that while no significant damage had been reported, flights to and from Maui were cancelled as a precaution. Residents in coastal areas were urged to move to higher ground or ascend to the fourth floor or above of buildings. The U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours to avoid being damaged by incoming waves.
In Japan, tsunami sirens rang out across dozens of coastal communities. Tens of thousands of residents, particularly in the northern region of Hokkaido and along the eastern seaboard, were ordered to evacuate. Memories of the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, loomed large.
Three tsunami waves were recorded in Japan, with the highest at 1.3 metres (4.3 feet), according to officials. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the Fukushima plant, confirmed that there were no irregularities at any nuclear facilities. Workers were nevertheless evacuated as a precaution.
Footage aired on NHK showed residents gathering on rooftops and elevated shelters, while fishing vessels left harbours to escape potential tsunami surges. Automaker Nissan suspended operations at several factories to ensure employee safety.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi assured the public that, as of yet, there had been no reported injuries or major damage.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for numerous countries across the Pacific Rim. According to their advisory, tsunami waves exceeding 3 metres were possible along Russia’s eastern coast, the northern Hawaiian Islands, and parts of Ecuador.
Waves of 1 to 3 metres were forecast for Japan, Hawaii, Chile, the Solomon Islands, and several other Pacific nations. Smaller waves were expected along the U.S. West Coast, prompting precautionary alerts in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement on social media warning Americans along the Pacific coast and in Alaska to stay alert. “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States,” he posted.
The Kamchatka Peninsula and the surrounding Far Eastern Russian regions lie along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most seismically active zones on Earth, where tectonic plates constantly collide and shift. The Russian Geophysical Service confirmed that although the quake’s magnitude was immense, its epicentre’s location and depth moderated the shaking intensity felt on land.
Danila Chebrov, head of the Kamchatka Branch of the Russian Geophysical Service, stated, “Aftershocks are ongoing, and while their intensity remains high, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.”
Emergency services across the region continue to assess damage and monitor seismic activity. In Severo-Kurilsk, Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov confirmed that four tsunami waves had passed, and urged residents to inspect their homes and avoid using gas stoves until safety checks were completed to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Health officials in Kamchatka reported that several individuals had sought medical attention, though no critical cases had emerged. Evacuations, inspections, and recovery operations remain underway.
As the Pacific basin responds to this rare and massive seismic event, scientists and governments alike are on high alert, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the Earth’s tectonic forces, and the need for coordinated preparedness across the region.
Written By Rodney Mbua
