Mass panic in Hawaii as tsunami sirens blare; Trump breaks silence on massive quake
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake occurred around 7:24 PM EST, roughly 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatka. It marks the strongest earthquake recorded globally in 14 years, since Japan's devastating 9.1 magnitude quake in 2011.
Hawaii's Emergency Management Department issued immediate evacuation orders for coastal zones. Sirens blared across the island chain as residents fled to higher ground. Traffic gridlocks were reported on Honolulu highways as citizens rushed to safety.
Tsunami advisories extended from Hawaii to California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Waves up to 10 feet above tide level are possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. In Japan, workers at Fukushima's nuclear plant were also evacuated as precautionary waves reached Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Several injuries were reported in Russia, including one woman hurt in a newly built airport terminal and others injured while fleeing buildings. A kindergarten collapsed in Petropavlovsk during the quake.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation via Truth Social, urging Americans to "STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE."
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. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://t.co/wdFzeu1I0h for the… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2025
Experts warned that aftershocks could continue, though no stronger quakes are expected. Meteorologists advised residents near coasts to move inland or seek vertical evacuation if necessary.
This earthquake is the largest of 2025 and the first over 8.0 magnitude since 2021. Kamchatka lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region well-known for frequent seismic activity.
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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Tsunami waves reach Hawaii after huge quake rattles Russia's Far East
A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and sparked evacuation orders in Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday. The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan's eastern seaboard - devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - was ordered to evacuate. In Hawaii, coastal residents were told to get to high ground or the fourth floor or above of buildings, and the U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours as the tsunami approached. 'Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,' the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said on X. Shortly after 0600 GMT, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said 1-1.2-metre waves were impacting the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said so far no waves of consequence hit the islands but all flights in and out of Maui were cancelled. Tsunami waves struck parts of Kamchatka, partially flooding the port and a fish processing plant in the town of Severo-Kurilsk and sweeping vessels from their moorings, regional officials and Russia's emergency ministry said. 'Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,' Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. Russian scientists said it was the most powerful quake to hit the region since 1952. Russia's Ministry for Emergency Services said on Telegram that a kindergarten was damaged but most buildings withstood the quake. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was shallow at a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), and centred 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000. It revised the magnitude up from 8.0 earlier, and reported a series of strong aftershocks up to a magnitude of 6.9. A resident in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky said the shaking rumbled for several minutes. Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits Japan's Hokkaido, JMA says 'I decided to leave the building,' said Yaroslav, 25. 'It felt like the walls could collapse any moment. The shaking lasted continuously for at least 3 minutes.' Warnings across the pacific Tsunami alarms sounded in coastal towns across Japan's Pacific coast and evacuation orders were issued for tens of thousands of people. Workers evacuated the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, where a meltdown following the 2011 tsunami caused a radioactive disaster, operator TEPCO said. Footage on public broadcaster NHK showed scores of people on the northern island of Hokkaido on the roof of a building, sheltering under tents from the beating sun, as fishing boats left harbours to avoid potential damage from the incoming waves. Automaker Nissan Motor suspended operations at certain domestic factories in Japan to ensure employee safety, Kyodo news agency reported. Three tsunami waves had been recorded in Japan, the largest of 1.3 metres (4.3 feet), officials said. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said there were no injuries or damage reported so far, and no irregularities at any nuclear plants. Tsunami waves of between 1-3 metres can be fatal for people who are swept away, said NHK. They can also cause flooding and damage wooden buildings, with people at risk of being killed by large drifting objects, according to the Japan Lifesaving Association. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also warned of 'hazardous tsunami waves' spreading across the Pacific. Drone footage shows tsunami waves flooding Russian coastal town following earthquake Waves reaching more than 3 metres were possible along some coasts of Russia, the northern Hawaiian islands and Ecuador, while waves of 1-3 metres were possible in countries including Japan, Hawaii, Chile and the Solomon Islands, it said. Smaller waves were possible along coastlines across much of the Pacific, including the U.S. West Coast. 'Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii,' U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post. 'A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States.' 'Ring of fire' Several people in Kamchatka sought medical assistance following the quake, Oleg Melnikov, regional health minister, told Russia's TASS state news agency. In Severo-Kurilsk in the northern Kuril islands, south of Kamchatka, tsunami waves exceeded 3 metres, with the largest up to 5 metres, Russia's RIA news agency reported. Alexander Ovsyannikov, the town's mayor, said four tsunami waves had passed. He urged residents to assess damage to their homes and not to use gas stove heating until inspections had been carried out, in order to avoid a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Power to the Sakhalin region had been cut off due to damage to the electricity grid, RIA said, citing the regional governor. Kamchatka and Russia's Far East sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Russian Academy of Sciences said it was the strongest quake to hit the region since 1952. 'However, due to certain characteristics of the epicentre, the shaking intensity was not as high … as one might expect from such a magnitude,' said Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service, on Telegram. 'Aftershocks are currently ongoing … Their intensity will remain fairly high. However, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.'
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
8.8-magnitude quake strikes Russia's Far East
Tsunami waves flood an area after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, in Severo-Kurilsk, Sakhalin Region, Russia, July 30, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences/Handout - REUTERS A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered 4-metre (13-foot) tsunami waves and sparked evacuation orders across the Pacific on Wednesday. The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan's eastern seaboard - devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - was ordered to evacuate. In Hawaii, coastal residents were told to get to high ground or the fourth floor or above buildings, and the U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours as the tsunami approached. "Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected," the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said on X. Tsunami waves reaching 10-13 feet struck parts of Kamchatka, partially flooding the port and a fish processing plant in the town of Severo-Kurilsk and sweeping vessels from their moorings, regional officials and Russia's emergency ministry said. "Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's Ministry for Emergency Services said on Telegram that a kindergarten was damaged but most buildings withstood the quake. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. A kindergarten damaged by the earthquake is seen in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia, July 30, 2025. Administration of the Governor of Kamchatka Krai/Handout -REUTERS The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was shallow at a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), and was centred 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000. It revised the magnitude up from 8.0 earlier, and reported a series of strong aftershocks up to a magnitude of 6.9. A resident in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky said the shaking started slowly but built up and rumbled for several minutes. "Considering its strength and how long it lasted … I decided to leave the building," said Yaroslav, 25. "The building is very flimsy and light, which might be why it survived. But it felt like the walls could collapse any moment. The shaking lasted continuously for at least 3 minutes.' Warnings across the Pacific Tsunami alarms sounded in coastal towns across Japan's Pacific coast and evacuation orders were issued for tens of thousands of people. Workers evacuated the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, where a meltdown following the 2011 tsunami caused a radioactive disaster, operator TEPCO said. Footage on public broadcaster NHK showed scores of people in the northern island of Hokkaido on the roof of a building, sheltering under tents from the beating sun, as fishing boats left harbours to avoid potential damage from the incoming waves. Automaker Nissan Motor (7201.T), opens new tab suspended operations at certain domestic factories in Japan to ensure employee safety, Kyodo news agency reported. Three tsunami waves had been recorded in Japan, the largest of 60cm (24 inches), officials said. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said there were no injuries or damage reported so far, and no irregularities at any nuclear plants. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also warned of "hazardous tsunami waves" spreading across the Pacific. Waves reaching more than 3 metres were possible along some coasts of Russia, the northern Hawaiian islands and Ecuador, while waves of 1-3 metres were possible in countries including Japan, Hawaii, Chile and the Solomon Islands, it said. Smaller waves were possible along coastlines across much of the Pacific, including the U.S. West Coast. "Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii," U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post. "A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!" Ring of fire Several people in Kamchatka sought medical assistance following the quake, Oleg Melnikov, regional health minister, told Russia's TASS state news agency. "Unfortunately, there are some people injured during the seismic event. Some were hurt while running outside, and one patient jumped out of a window. A woman was also injured inside the new airport terminal,' Melnikov said. Kamchatka and Russia's Far East sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Russian Academy of Sciences said it was the strongest quake to hit the region since 1952. "However, due to certain characteristics of the epicentre, the shaking intensity was not as high ... as one might expect from such a magnitude," said Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service, on Telegram. 'Aftershocks are currently ongoing ... Their intensity will remain fairly high. However, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.' Last year, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, shaking the region and its capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The tremor hit at a depth of 50 kilometers, prompted immediate action from the local emergencies ministry, with rescuers and firefighters inspecting affected buildings. Situated on the "Ring of Fire," Kamchatka is prone to such seismic activity, with over two dozen active volcanoes dotting the peninsula.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Footage captures tsunami hitting Kuril Islands
A powerful 8.8‑magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025, the strongest quake in the region since 1952, triggering tsunami waves that swept through coastal areas of the Kuril Islands, Hokkaido, and prompted warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii. A video circulated online captures tsunami waves surging into Severo‑Kurilsk on Paramushir Island, inundating shorelines, sweeping away small buildings and vessels, and flooding port areas. 🚨🌊 WATCH: Tsunami hits Severo-Kurilsk coast 📹 Social media users are sharing videos showing tsunami waves striking the coastal zone of Severo-Kurilsk, Russia, after a powerful earthquake off the Kamchatka coast. — Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 30, 2025 Local officials reported waves up to 3–4 meters (10–13 feet) in height. Though distant from Russia, Hokkaido in Japan also recorded significant pan-Pacific impact, with tsunami waves between 40–60 cm (1.3–2 ft) in places like Hamanaka and Iwate, and Tokyo Bay observed smaller surges. Authorities instructed over 900,000 residents to evacuate coastal zones across Japan. In Hawaii, initial tsunami waves were measured at about 1.8 meters (6 ft) near Midway Atoll, prompting evacuation orders, sirens, and disrupted travel during rush hour. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center extended alerts to coastal zones including Alaska, California, Oregon, and beyond.
