One of the most powerful earthquakes in modern history struck off the coast of Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific and prompting emergency alerts in Japan, Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, and parts of Canada. The 8.8 magnitude quake, which struck near the Kamchatka Peninsula, prompted widespread evacuations, although no major damage or fatalities have been reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at a depth of approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles), centred around 120 kilometres from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The powerful tremor, followed by several strong aftershocks including one measuring 6.9, prompted immediate tsunami warnings across several regions.
In Russia’s Kamchatka region, tsunami waves reached up to 4 metres (13 feet), with the Russian Oceanology Institute warning that some areas may have seen waves as high as 15 metres (50 feet). Several residents were injured but remain in stable condition, according to Russian authorities.
In Japan’s northern Hokkaido region, waves of about 60 centimetres (2 feet) were recorded. At least one person was injured as residents fled to evacuation centres. Authorities, still mindful of the 2011 disaster, reported no abnormalities at nuclear power facilities.
Hawaii, initially under full tsunami alert, experienced waves of up to 5 feet along the coast. Evacuation orders on Oahu and the Big Island were later lifted, but officials urged caution. “Stay off the beach and out of the water,” said James Barros, head of Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency.
On the U.S. mainland, the West Coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as British Columbia in Canada, were placed under tsunami advisories. The National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska noted waves up to 1.4 feet (43 cm) above tide levels in the Aleutian Islands. Emergency departments advised residents to avoid beaches, harbours, and low-lying coastal areas.
Despite the downgrading or cancellation of tsunami warnings in several areas, experts cautioned that the danger may persist. Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator for the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center, warned, “A tsunami is not just one wave… the impact could last for hours or more than a day.”
In Kamchatka, Russian officials confirmed that tsunami alerts were lifted by mid-day but warned of possible aftershocks reaching up to magnitude 7.5. The Avacha Bay, where the regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is located, remains under close observation.
The earthquake is one of the strongest recorded globally in the last decade and the most significant since the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Unlike 2011, no nuclear anomalies have been reported in Japan or Russia, though the Fukushima Daiichi plant operator confirmed that around 4,000 workers were evacuated to higher ground as a precaution.
Wednesday’s quake serves as a stark reminder of the Pacific region’s seismic vulnerabilities. Authorities worldwide have praised the rapid response systems now in place, many of which were implemented following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 disaster in Japan.
As officials continue to monitor aftershocks and coastal impacts, residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant, heed local advisories, and prepare for potential emergency conditions over the next 24 hours.
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