A tsunami warning has been issued for much of the Pacific region after a massive 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Tuesday evening. The quake, recorded at 7:24 p.m. ET, occurred about 78 miles southeast of the Russian city at a shallow depth of approximately 11 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that tsunami waves exceeding 10 feet could strike Russia’s east coast and parts of Ecuador, with impacts also possible across the U.S. West Coast, Japan, Guam, and Alaska.
In Honolulu, emergency officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for all coastal areas of Oʻahu, urging residents to leave immediately.
“Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,” read a warning from Oʻahu Emergency Management on X. “Evacuate coastal areas in the PRIMARY EVACUATION ZONE.”
Guam is also under a tsunami warning, as is British Columbia in Canada.
The first tsunami waves reached Hokkaido, Japan, measuring around 30 centimeters (11 inches), according to Japanese broadcaster NHK, and swept debris inland. Cities like Kamaishi and Ishinomaki have evacuated to the same elevated zones used during the 2011 disaster.
New Zealand has not issued evacuations yet, but its National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned that “strong currents and surges can injure or drown people” along much of the country’s coast. Citizens have been advised to stay away from beaches, harbors, marinas, rivers, and estuaries.
In Alaska, the National Tsunami Warning Center noted potential activity beginning at:
- Shemya: 4:46 p.m. ADT
- Adak: 5:46 p.m. ADT
- Saint Paul: 7:06 p.m. ADT
The USGS reported at least six aftershocks near the Kamchatka Peninsula throughout the day, ranging from 5.4 to 6.9 in magnitude.
According to The Washington Post, this earthquake may rank among the six most powerful ever recorded globally.
Officials continue to assess threats to coastal areas across the Pacific Rim. Residents in affected zones are urged to monitor official alerts, prepare for potential evacuation, and avoid all shorelines until warnings are lifted.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
