A powerful underwater earthquake of magnitude 8.8 shook the Pacific region early Wednesday morning, triggering widespread tsunami alerts. The quake occurred at 8:25 AM local time in Japan (23:25 GMT on Tuesday) near the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, with its epicenter located approximately 120 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski and at a depth of 20 km.
Tsunami alerts in the Pacific
The earthquake triggered immediate tsunami warnings in Japan, Russia, and Hawaii, among other Pacific territories. In Japan, over 900,000 residents were instructed to evacuate to higher ground due to the possibility of waves reaching up to 3 meters. So far, smaller waves have been recorded, with the largest measuring 1.3 meters, and no significant damage has been reported.
In Russia, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka were the most affected, with waves reaching up to 5 meters in Severo-Kurilsk, causing flooding in ports and preventive evacuations of approximately 2,000 residents.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts from Russia to Ecuador, with Hawaii at maximum alert. In the archipelago, authorities activated emergency protocols and preventive evacuations, although the waves recorded so far have been moderate, close to 1 meter, with no major damage.
Evacuations and reported damages
In Russia, minor structural damage and minor injuries were reported due to panic during the earthquake. In Japan and Hawaii, although the alert remains active, there are no reports of significant damage or casualties at this time.
Authorities in Mexico, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia issued precautionary advisories along their coasts due to possible fluctuations in sea level.
Experts warn that a tsunami can last for hours with multiple waves, so alerts will remain active until the danger has passed completely.
Last updated: July 30, 2025, 09:00 CEST (07:00 GMT).
Sources consulted
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- United States Geological Survey (USGS)
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)
- Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
- Regional Government of Kamchatka, Russia
- NHK (Japanese public television)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Earthquake in the Pacific and Tsunami Alerts
Where was the epicenter of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the Pacific?
The epicenter of the earthquake measuring 8.8 was near the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, approximately 120 km from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and at a depth of 20 km. This quake triggered tsunami warnings in several areas of the Pacific.
What evacuation measures have been taken in Japan following the earthquake?
In Japan, more than 900,000 residents have been instructed to evacuate to higher ground due to the possibility of waves up to 3 meters high. Although the recorded waves have been smaller, reaching up to 1.3 meters, preventive measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the population.
How has the earthquake affected the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka in Russia?
The Kuril Islands and Kamchatka were the most affected by the earthquake, with waves reaching up to 5 meters in Severo-Kurilsk, causing flooding in ports and preventive evacuations of approximately 2,000 residents.
What is the situation in Hawaii after the earthquake in the Pacific?
In Hawaii, authorities have activated emergency protocols and preventive evacuations. The recorded waves have been moderate, close to 1 meter, with no major damage reported so far.
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