Tsunami hits Russia's far east after 8.8 earthquake while Japan, US and Canada on alert: Live updates
Several people were injured in the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, while much of Japan's eastern seaboard was ordered to evacuate. "Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka governor Vladimir Solodov said.
A tsunami with a height of 3-4m was recorded in parts of Kamchatka, said Sergei Lebedev, regional minister for emergencies. Japan upgraded its warning, saying it expected tsunami waves of up to 3m to reach large coastal areas.
Hawaii has been put on a tsunami watch, while parts of Alaska face a more severe tsunami advisory as monitors have reason to believe the waves from a potential tsunami are likely to be dangerous.
If tsunami waves did hit Hawaii, the earliest they would arrive would be around 7.17pm local time, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The Hawaii warning urged residents of low-lying areas to either move to higher ground or to the fourth floor of a building.
Tsunami waves hit Russia's far east
A tsunami with a height of 3-4m was recorded in parts of Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, shortly after a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia's far east region.
Several people were injured in the remote Russian region, according to officials.
"Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka governor Vladimir Solodov said on Telegram.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 July 2025 04:15
President Donald Trump on tsunami alerts: 'STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!'
United States President Donald Trump has urged people to 'STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!' in a post on his Truth Social account which was also shared on X:
'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://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!'
Samantha Beech30 July 2025 03:31
U.S. Homeland Security issues warning to states included in the tsunami alerts
The United States Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning to the states included in the tsunami alerts:
'Please be advised that there is a tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii. There is also a tsunami watch for Alaska and the west coast of the United States. Find high ground and stay safe.'
Samantha Beech30 July 2025 03:28
Earthquake upgraded to 8.8 magnitude
The earthquake that struck off Russia's Far East has been upgraded to an 8.8 magnitude tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey.
It was previously recorded as an 8.7 magnitude earthquake.
Samantha Beech30 July 2025 03:18
San Francisco is under a tsunami advisory
A tsunami advisory that includes San Francisco has been issued, according to the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.
In a post on X, the agency wrote: 'A Tsunami Advisory means strong, dangerous currents are expected to impact San Francisco beaches, harbor and marina docks, and finger piers in shoreline areas. Dangerous currents are expected to begin at 12:40am tonight (7/30) and may last for many hours. San Francisco's public safety agencies are working together to evaluate whether the evacuation of shoreline areas is necessary, and will send out additional alerts as soon as possible. For more information on current emergencies in San Francisco visit sf.gov/readysf'
Samantha Beech30 July 2025 03:09
Full story: Tsunami alerts issued for California, Hawaii and Alaska after massive earthquake off Russia
Tsunami alerts have been issued for Hawaii, California and Alaska following a massive magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the coast of Russia on Tuesday.
The entire west coast of the U.S. has been alerted to watch for signs of dangerous waves and parts of Canada, Russia and Japan are also under tsunami alerts.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the earthquake hit just before 1.30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time near the coast of Kamchatka in Russia's far east.
Officials are watching for signs a tsunami may be developing. While the state of Hawaii and the California coastline were put on a tsunami watch, parts of Alaska have been put on a tsunami advisory.
Tsunami alerts in Hawaii, California, Alaska after Russian earthquake
The entire west coast of the U.S. has been alerted to a potential tsunami following the massive earthquake off Russia
Rachel Dobkin30 July 2025 02:55
Tsunami warning sirens blare in Honolulu warning people to move to higher ground
Tsunami warning sirens were blaring Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground after a n 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern coast.
Traffic was backed up in some neighborhoods in Honolulu, The Associated Press reports, and officials were preparing to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route out of Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, said sate Rep. Darius Kila. Even though it's summer break, some schools issued alerts canceling sports and other activities.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1 to 3 meters (yards) above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than 3 meters (yards) were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador.
Samantha Beech30 July 2025 02:53
Hawaii emergency officials warn Oahu residents to 'take action'
Oahu Emergency Management has warned residents to 'take action' as 'destructive tsunami waves expected.'
Rachel Dobkin30 July 2025 02:43
Map shows Hawaii under tsunami watch
Rachel Dobkin30 July 2025 02:37
California under tsunami watch
California and the entire West Coast were placed on a tsunami watch Tuesday following a massive earthquake near Russia.
The National Weather Service's Bay Area office said tsunami waves could hit as early as 12:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
Rachel Dobkin30 July 2025 02:30
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Animation reveals how tsunami, triggered by 8.8-magnitude earthquake, surged across Pacific Ocean
New animation shows the moment a massive earthquake struck Russia and triggered multiple tsunami alerts across the world. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the country's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday (July 30), causing flooding in the coastal town of Severo-Kurilsk. The powerful tremors also raised tsunami alarms in regions such as New Zealand, Chile, Japan, Hawaii, and the US west coast, prompting evacuation orders for millions of people. A video released by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Research on Thursday captures tsunami waves surging through the Pacific Ocean as a result of the seismic activity. Several people were injured in the earthquake. However, no major damage was reported.
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The whole thing worked like clockwork – their speed and accuracy may have saved thousands of lives, with temporary evacuees now allowed to return home. But this type of work could be under threat. The PTWC is part of a US government agency that has faced cuts from the Trump administration. The 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit off Russia's Kamchatka peninsula on Wednesday morning. The rupture happened along hundreds of miles of a fault line where the Pacific plate is sinking below the North American plate. This is one of the largest faults on Earth – it is called a megathrust fault – and parts of it are underwater, which means there is always a tsunami risk. The earthquake was 30 miles (47km) beneath sea level and sent shock waves at a range of 200 miles. Tsunamis travel across the ocean at about 500mph, the speed of a jumbo jet, so some communities had just few minutes' warning – while those on the other side of the ocean had a few hours. 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