A major undersea earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the early hours of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, setting off a chain of tsunami alerts across the Pacific Basin — including for Hawaii, Alaska, and the entire U.S. West Coast.
Seismic Event Details
The earthquake, initially rated a magnitude 8.0, was later revised upward to a powerful 8.7 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor struck at a depth of 19.3 kilometers, about 125 kilometers southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, one of Kamchatka’s major cities.
The local time of the quake was 2:24 a.m. Wednesday in Russia. Due to time zone differences, this corresponded to 1:24 p.m. in Hawaii, 4:24 p.m. Pacific Time, and 7:24 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday for U.S. residents.
Warnings Issued Across the Pacific
Following the seismic event, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued several alerts:
-
Tsunami Warning: For Hawaii and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, indicating the potential for life-threatening waves.
-
Tsunami Watch: For the Pacific coast of the mainland U.S., including California, Oregon, and Washington.
Authorities across the affected areas urged residents to stay alert and monitor official sources for updates.
Anticipated Wave Arrival Times
Hawaii: The first tsunami waves were projected to reach the islands around 7:17 p.m. HST, with warnings of possible coastal flooding and strong currents.
Also Read – Trump-Era Official Fired in First Term Named Head of U.S. Institute of Peace
Alaska: Waves were forecast to arrive at:
-
Shemya: 4:46 p.m. AKDT
-
Adak: 5:46 p.m. AKDT
U.S. Mainland West Coast:
-
Washington and Oregon: ~11:40 p.m. PT
-
San Francisco: ~12:40 a.m. PT
-
Los Angeles: ~1:05 a.m. PT
Wave Height Forecasts
-
Kamchatka Coast: Waves up to 10–13 feet (3–4 meters) were expected.
-
Hawaii, Japan, Guam, and Other Pacific Islands: Anticipated wave heights ranged from 3 to 9 feet (1–3 meters), varying by location and topography.
Global Response and Local Impacts
In Russia’s Kamchatka region, officials ordered evacuations in towns like Severo-Kurilsk. One local kindergarten sustained damage, but no injuries were reported.
In Japan, authorities moved swiftly to issue tsunami advisories along several coastal prefectures, including Hokkaido and Wakayama. Emergency response teams were placed on alert, with residents in low-lying areas urged to evacuate.
Along the U.S. West Coast, emergency officials advised residents to remain prepared. In cities such as San Francisco and Seattle, authorities closely monitored ocean conditions and updated local communities through emergency notification systems.
Why This Matters
Major quakes of this magnitude—especially those occurring in subduction zones like the one near Kamchatka—can unleash tsunamis capable of crossing vast distances. Waves generated in such events can take hours to reach distant shores but still carry enough energy to cause serious damage.
Also Read – Carter Presses On with U.S. Senate Campaign Despite Growing Challenges
Have you ever lived through an earthquake or tsunami alert? Share your story and help raise awareness about disaster readiness in your community.
If this report resonated with you, consider sharing it to keep others informed. Want more stories focused on life in Washington and beyond? Click “Follow” to stay up to date with the latest news and personal essays. If you’d like to support my writing journey as I care for my elderly parents full-time, you can buy me a coffee—it truly means the world.
Interested in writing for platforms like this? Sign up with NewsBreak and earn money sharing your own local stories and insights.
