A powerful earthquake, measuring magnitude 8.7, hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025. It triggered a tsunami warning for Hawaii. The danger also led to tsunami advisories for Alaska and the entire U.S. West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
Because the quake struck at a shallow depth of less than 20 km from the ocean floor, experts warned that it could produce strong tsunami waves. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center acted fast, upgrading Hawaii’s alert to a warning before 2:45 p.m. HST, meaning waves could harm coastal areas.
The first tsunami waves were expected to hit Hawaii around 7:10–7:17 p.m. local time. Cities like Honolulu and coastal zones were evacuated, and sirens alerted residents to move to higher ground. Officials emphasized that all shores are at risk, as tsunami waves can wrap around islands
On the West Coast, authorities issued tsunami watches and later downgraded them to advisories in many areas. In California, Monterey County expected wave arrival around 12:15 a.m. PDT, with San Francisco and other cities seeing waves shortly after. The advisories indicate strong currents or small waves, not widespread flooding; however, people were still urged to stay away from the water.
Japan also responded quickly. Japan’s meteorological agency released tsunami warnings, forecasting waves as high as 3 meters along coastal areas from Hokkaido to Honshu and called for evacuations. Smaller wave remnants, about 30 cm, were already observed in northern Japan.
In Russia, coastal areas near the epicenter felt strong shaking. In Severo‑Kurilsk, waves reached 3–4 meters, forcing an evacuation. Some property damage and injuries have been reported, although no deaths have been reported so far.
This seismic event is considered one of the strongest recorded in decades in the region. Authorities across several Pacific nations remain on alert and are closely monitoring conditions. They recommend people stay tuned for official updates and avoid coastal zones until it is declared safe.
At a glance, key points:
- An earthquake of 8.7 magnitude struck off Kamchatka, Russia (July 29, 2025)
- Hawaii under tsunami warning; West Coast under advisories
- First waves expected Hawaii ~7:15 p.m. HST; California ~midnight PDT
- Estimated wave heights up to 1–3 m in Hawaii, ~3 m possible in Japan
- Japan ordered evacuations in coastal zones
- Damage and 3–4 m waves reported in Russia’s Kuril Islands
- Authorities urge avoidance of coastlines, continued monitoring
