A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific. One of the most urgent alerts was issued for Hawaii, where officials warned of potential tsunami waves as high as 10 feet.
The quake hit at 11:25 a.m. local time and caused immediate concern in coastal regions of Russia and beyond. In Severo-Kurilsk, a small town on the Northern Kuril Islands, video footage showed waves sweeping through streets, moving buildings, and sweeping away heavy containers. Local authorities confirmed that three tsunami waves hit the area, with the third being the strongest.
Russia’s emergency services said nearly 300 people were evacuated from the town’s port. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries. Damage was also reported in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where the earthquake caused power outages and disrupted mobile services.
Following the quake, the U.S. and Japan issued tsunami warnings. In Hawaii, sirens sounded across low-lying areas as officials urged residents to move to higher ground. Honolulu’s mayor, Rick Blangiardi, emphasized the need for calm but stressed that people in coastal areas should not wait to evacuate.
“If you can reach higher ground, please do so,” Blangiardi told local media. “We’re taking every precaution to avoid loss of life.”
The tsunami warning in Hawaii after Russia earthquake also caused major travel disruptions. Airlines including Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines suspended flights to the islands. Some planes were diverted mid-flight or returned to their departure cities. Passengers were advised to check with airlines before heading to the airport.
Experts warn that tsunami waves travel at speeds similar to jet planes. According to Helen Janiszewski, a geophysics expert at the University of Hawaii, this means waves can travel thousands of kilometers in just a few hours. This speed gives little time for response once the warning is issued.
Japan’s meteorological agency also reported tsunami activity. Waves of up to 2 feet have already been observed on Japan’s east coast. Authorities said conditions could remain hazardous for at least a day, especially during high tides.
In total, over 1.9 million people across Japan are under evacuation advisories. Officials reminded the public that tsunami waves can hit multiple times and may become more severe with each strike.
Seismologists say this earthquake is one of the strongest in the region since the 1950s. However, its offshore location may limit damage on land. Harold Tobin, a professor at the University of Washington, said the energy from such quakes often spreads outward into the ocean rather than back toward land.
“This event could go either way,” Tobin said. “We could see limited impact or major damage depending on how the waves reach different coasts.”
He added that the response in Hawaii will be closely watched as a measure of how the rest of the Pacific Rim might be affected.
For now, officials in Hawaii, Japan, and along the U.S. West Coast are urging residents to stay alert. They warn against returning to coastal areas until all tsunami warnings are officially lifted.
