One of the most powerful earthquakes in recent history struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, sending tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and sparking widespread alerts from Japan to North and Central America.
The magnitude 8.8 quake, centered about 74 miles (119 km) southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula, struck at a shallow depth of 20.7 km. It triggered tsunami warnings and evacuations in multiple Pacific nations, including Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, and as far as New Zealand. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded several powerful aftershocks, some as strong as magnitude 6.9.
Ports in Kamchatka flooded and residents fled inland amid widespread panic. Roads jammed with traffic, and emergency services struggled to maintain order as fears of repeated waves mounted. Seismic activity also caused structural damage in parts of Russia’s Kuril Islands, with the first tsunami wave hitting Severo-Kurilsk.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves of up to 60 cm (2 feet) in Hokkaido and Iwate prefectures. Tokyo Bay also recorded smaller waves around 20 cm. While there were no immediate reports of casualties or large-scale destruction, authorities warned the situation could change rapidly.
In Hawaii, Governor Josh Green urged residents to move to higher ground. Waves of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) were observed at Midway Atoll, sparking concerns that Hawaii’s coastal areas could see dangerous surges. “This is not a typical wave. It's a wall of water with force capable of devastating shoreline communities,” Green warned. Black Hawk helicopters and high-water rescue vehicles were placed on standby.
Alaska, Oregon, and Canada’s British Columbia also issued tsunami advisories. While early wave reports showed minimal height — less than one foot in places like Adak and Amchitka — authorities stressed the threat was ongoing. “A tsunami is not a single wave — it's a series that can last for hours or more,” said Dave Snider from the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center.
In Oregon, emergency officials urged residents to stay away from beaches and marinas. Even smaller waves, they noted, can produce deadly currents and rapid inundation.
Though widespread devastation has not been confirmed, experts warn of prolonged disruption to marine infrastructure, coastal fisheries, and small island settlements, many of which lack robust tsunami defenses. Remote communities in Alaska and Russia remain difficult to reach, raising fears that some damages and injuries may go unreported for days.
As the Pacific braces for aftershocks and potential secondary waves, authorities across affected nations continue to monitor the situation closely, urging vigilance and cooperation with evacuation efforts.
BOB Post
