Massive Russian far east quake prompts U.S. tsunami warnings

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s far eastern coast at 8:24 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

This triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. West Coast.

The quake is recorded as the sixth strongest earthquake ever according to United States Geological Survey (USGS) and has raised concerns over 10-foot tsunami waves prompting urgent evacuations in hotspot areas as reported by Sergei Lebedev, regional minister for emergency situations.

The Russian statesman Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov stated in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app: “Today’s earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors.”

As per the Russian authorities, the tsunami affected the port town of Severo-Kutilsk, while local Russian media reported one wave of between three and four meters high was recorded in the Elizovsky district of Kamchatka.

The USGS reported that the earthquake was shallow at a depth of 19.3 km and was centred 119km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000. The quake’s epicenter was roughly the same as the major 9.0 temblor in 1952 that caused massive destruction and Pacific-wide tsunami.

Hawaii and Alaska under immediate threat

The first waves have already struck Alaska’s Aleutian Islands while Hawaii is experiencing initial impacts.

The officials of Honolulu have issued the orders of emergency evacuations. The Governor Josh Green stated that waves “will wrap around the islands,” affecting multiple coast lines.

Under given circumstances, residents in low-lying areas have requested to evacuate and move to higher grounds as soon as possible.

West coast braces for impact

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center has issued the following alerts:

• Tsunami Warning (Most Severe): Northern California, Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, and Hawaii.
• Tsunami Advisory: The rest of the U.S. West Coast, including Oregon and Washington.

Expected wave arrival time

• Oregon and Washington arrivals will expectedly arrive around 11:35 p.m. PT
• Waves in California may hit around 11:50 pm. PT
• Expectedly, waves will reach San Francisco Bay around 12:40 a.m. PT
• Los Angeles Harbor arrivals will be around 1:00 a.m. PT

Authorities urge coastal residents to evacuate low-lying areas and avoid beaches, harbors, and marinas to avoid any mishap.