Major Earthquake Off Kamchatka Triggers Tsunami and Evacuations

A powerful earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck off the eastern coast of Kamchatka, with its epicenter located approximately 150 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to reports from the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The seismic activity triggered a tsunami, producing waves as high as three meters that impacted the coastal regions of Kamchatka.

Tsunami warnings were promptly issued for areas along the northern Pacific Ocean, affecting regions including Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific coastline of North America as far south as California. The first waves generated by this massive earthquake have now reached the shores of the U.S. states of Hawaii and California.

Evacuations Across the Pacific

The earthquake, which struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at approximately 11:25 AM local time (00:25 AM BST), is believed to be one of the most powerful ever recorded, with a magnitude of 8.8. Millions of people have been ordered to evacuate in Japan, Russia, and parts of the U.S. West Coast. In Japan alone, about 1.9 million residents have been instructed to evacuate, with initial tsunami waves of 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) reported in the northern Iwate prefecture by the country’s weather agency.

In Colombia, residents in Chocó and Nariño on the Pacific coast have also been ordered to evacuate coastal areas, as the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management advises moving to higher ground.

Damage and Safety Measures

Reports indicate no injuries or fatalities thus far, but images from towns along Russia’s far eastern coast show buildings damaged, ports submerged, and evacuations being conducted by officials. The tsunami waves have begun impacting American shores, with reports confirming their arrival along Hawaii’s islands and the northern coast of California.

In Hawaii, officials have downgraded tsunami alerts to an advisory level, allowing residents to return home with caution. However, they are urged to remain vigilant for strong currents and minor flooding. The tsunami threat has prompted alerts across Western U.S. states, including Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, as well as in Canada’s British Columbia, where residents are advised to stay away from the ocean.

Warnings of varied levels have also been issued for Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, and Japan, as authorities continue to monitor the situation. In Japan, while initial waves were smaller, the meteorological agency warns that they could reach heights of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet).