Tsunami After Massive Russia Quake: Evacuations Ordered Across Pacific, Klyuchevskoy Volcano Erupts
8.8 quake off Russia triggers Pacific-wide tsunami alerts; Klyuchevskoy volcano erupts. Evacuations ordered across Japan, Hawaii, and South America.
Tsunami waves crash into Severo-Kurilsk, Russia, following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake; Klyuchevskoy volcano erupts shortly after.
A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has triggered widespread tsunami warnings and evacuations across Central and South America, as well as parts of Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. The quake also set off an eruption of the Klyuchevskoy volcano, the tallest active volcano in Eurasia.
🔴 Tsunami Impact Summary
- Severo-Kurilsk, a coastal Russian town, was hit hard as 4-metre-high waves surged through the port, damaging buildings and flooding a fishing plant.
- All 2,000 residents were safely evacuated, said local authorities. The tsunami even reached a WWII monument 400 meters inland.
- The epicentre of the quake was 47 km below sea level, about 350 km from Severo-Kurilsk.
- No major injuries have been reported so far.
🌋 Volcano Eruption Following Earthquake
The Klyuchevskoy volcano began erupting shortly after the quake. Known for its explosive activity, the volcano is located in Russia’s Far East Kamchatka peninsula and previously erupted in October 2023, forcing local school closures due to ashfall.
🚨 Pacific-Wide Tsunami Warnings and Updates
- Japan, Hawaii, and U.S. coastal states including California, Oregon, and Alaska initially issued tsunami alerts. These have since been downgraded or lifted.
- French Polynesia, Central America, and South American nations like Ecuador also issued alerts and evacuated coastal areas.
- Hawaii’s tsunami warning was downgraded; flights have resumed at Honolulu International Airport.
- In California, waves of 1.6 feet above tide level were observed in Arena Cove.
⛺ Survivors Share Harrowing Experience
An expedition team from the Russian Geographical Society was camping on Shumshu Island in the Kurils when the tsunami hit.
“All the tents and structures were swept away… We lost everything but thankfully, no one was hurt,” said expedition member Vera Kostamo.
A state of emergency has been declared in Sakhalin region, which includes the Kuril Islands.
🌐 Global Earthquake & Tsunami Alerts: What to Know
This is one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in the region in recent years.
Authorities across the Pacific Rim remain on high alert, even as tsunami threats are downgraded.
Scientists are closely monitoring volcanic activity and aftershocks.
