Tsunami Alerts Issued for US, Japan, Philippines After Massive 8.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia
Massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia triggers tsunami alerts across the Pacific, impacting the US, Japan, and Philippines. Evacuations underway.
A tsunami alert is displayed on television in Yokohama, Japan, after a massive quake off Russia’s coast on July 30, 2025.
A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s eastern coast triggered tsunami waves on Wednesday, prompting urgent warnings and evacuations across the Pacific region, including in the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
Waves as high as 4 metres (13 feet) hit Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, flooding the port town of Severo-Kurilsk, where over 2,000 residents were evacuated. The Russian government declared a state of emergency across the North Kuril District.
Wide-Scale Alerts Across the Pacific
The US Tsunami Warning Centers forecast potentially hazardous waves for Hawaii, Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, and several countries across Latin America and Asia. The Honolulu Emergency Management Department advised immediate evacuations in low-lying coastal areas.
“This region is prone to large tsunamis,” said Nathan Bangs, a geophysicist at the University of Texas, comparing it to deadly quakes in Sumatra (2004) and Tohoku, Japan (2011).
Flights were suspended at Hilo International Airport, and heavy traffic was reported in Honolulu as residents fled for higher ground.
Tsunami Impact in Japan and Asia
In Japan, tsunami waves up to 3 metres (9.8 feet) were expected. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged people in coastal regions to evacuate immediately and stay away from rivers and the sea.
Footage from Hokkaido showed waves reaching about 30cm (1ft). No injuries or damage were reported, but evacuations were underway in several coastal areas. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called on citizens to act swiftly.
Tsunami alerts were also issued for the Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
US Response and Warnings
President Donald Trump took to social media urging residents to follow local emergency instructions, stating: “STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck 136km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and was followed by two strong aftershocks of 6.9 and 6.3 magnitude.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described the quake as the “strongest in decades”. Though several injuries were reported, Russian authorities confirmed none were serious.
Experts Warn of Further Risk
Tsunami expert Robert Weis from Virginia Tech warned the threat of widespread destruction remains: “Three metres is pretty destructive. It’s right to be concerned about this one.”
Authorities worldwide remain on high alert as aftershocks continue and tsunami waves ripple across the Pacific.
