A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves that reached the coastlines of California and Hawaii several hours later.
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center reported tsunami waves about 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) above tide level at Arena Cove, California, while Hawaii recorded waves up to 4.9 feet (1.5 metres). Despite this, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated that a major tsunami affecting Hawaii is unlikely.
The U.S. National Weather Service warned, “A strong earthquake in the Pacific Basin has generated a tsunami wave. Tsunami Warnings and Advisories have been issued for Hawaii, portions of Alaska, Guam, American Samoa, and the West Coast of the U.S.”
Officials urged residents to follow government instructions and exercise caution near the ocean due to ongoing sea level changes and strong currents.
The quake, occurring in a seismically active zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire, also prompted tsunami alerts in Japan. Evacuation orders were issued in parts of Hawaii and Japan, and the U.S. Coast Guard instructed commercial vessels in Hawaiian harbours to evacuate.
Hawaiian Governor Josh Green said, “So far, Hawaii has not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us.” Two waves were recorded at Midway Atoll, measuring 30 centimetres and 3 feet respectively, with no significant activity beyond the Big Island, though the threat remains for several hours.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency forecast a tsunami up to 3 metres high hitting Hokkaido around 10 a.m. local time. Agency official Kiyomoto Masashi advised coastal residents to seek higher ground, warning that tsunamis can continue for more than a day after the quake.
Waves near Kamchatka reached 3 to 4 metres (10–13 feet), while in Japan wave heights ranged from 30 centimetres to 1.3 metres, the highest recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture.
The earthquake disrupted flights to Hawaii, with some rerouted or cancelled. Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines stated they were “monitoring a tsunami warning” and had paused departures to the islands, with all flights to and from Maui cancelled.
Tsunamis consist of long ocean waves lasting minutes per crest, and as Maui County officials note, “The danger may persist for many more hours. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands so all shores are at risk no matter which direction they face.”
This earthquake is among the strongest ever recorded in the area, prompting ongoing monitoring and safety advisories across the Pacific.