Tsunami Warning Issued for US States and Japan After 8.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russian Coast

An 8.7-magnitude powerful earthquake that struck off the Russian coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula early on Wednesday, July 30, has been upgraded to 8.8. The earthquake triggered a tsunami in Japan and the US states of Hawaii and Alaska. Evacuation has been ordered in parts of the Pacific region.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a high-intensity earthquake under the seabed at a shallow depth, which led to tsunami waves as high as 4 meters crashing near coastal areas of Kamchatka in Russia. Tsunami sirens go off in Hakodate as the first wave of about one foot is observed near the coast. 

Also Read |  Earthquake in Russia: Quake of Magnitude 8.0 Strikes Kamchatka Peninsula; Tsunami Warning Issued.

After a Tsunami warning was issued for the US state of Hawaii, heavy vehicular traffic was seen on the roads of Honolulu. It seems people are rushing to their homes and safer places from the coastal and low-lying areas that could possibly be hit by waves.

Authorities in affected regions have urged coastal populations to evacuate immediately amid concerns of destructive waves reaching as far as Ecuador, Guam, and other Pacific territories, according to the Live Mint. A tsunami warning was also sounded in parts of California's coastal areas. The National Weather Service issued the watch for “all coastal regions in the Bay Area and Central Coast, including San Francisco and San Pablo Bays.”

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The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is monitoring the potential tsunami threat following the recent 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Indian nationals in California, other US West Coast states, and Hawaii are advised to take the…

— India in SF (@CGISFO) July 30, 2025

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is monitoring the potential tsunami threat following the recent 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Indian nationals in California, other US West Coast states, and Hawaii are advised to take the following steps: Follow Local Alerts. Carefully monitor alerts from US authorities, including local emergency management and the US Tsunami Warning Centres. If a tsunami alert is issued, move to higher ground. Avoid coastal areas. Prepare for an emergency and keep devices charged.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has also issued a helpline number: +1-415-483-6629

Videos from Russia surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) showing buildings and other structures shaking due to the earthquake, which was later upgraded to a massive 8.8. Russians shared visuals of destruction, showing people running out of their homes and buildings after several jolts. 

These video clips are spine-chilling 😨

❗️The first tsunami wave has already crashed onto the shores of Severo-Kurilsk

Thankfully, residents have sought refuge on higher ground, as confirmed by the governor… pic.twitter.com/rU4VkDLWsa

— Lenka White (@white_lenka) July 30, 2025

One viral video recorded on a CCTV camera of a shop in Russia shows a shopkeeper in a blue uniform sitting. Suddenly, cupboards and other furniture items collapse near her reception table. Seen this, she kept herself low and stood under the table.

🚨#BREAKING: Tsunami sirens are now blasting across Hawaii after warnings were issued. Thousands are evacuating to higher ground as waves between 3 to 12 feet above tide level are possible. The USGS has just upgraded the Pacific earthquake to a massive magnitude 8.8. pic.twitter.com/dUIGx2mtqX

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 30, 2025

Tsunami sirens sounded across Hawaii after warnings were issued, and thousands are evacuating to higher ground, as waves between 3 and 12 feet above tide level are possible. The USGS has just upgraded the Pacific earthquake to a massive magnitude of 8.8. The Navy and Army, in coordination with the State Department of Transportation, is opening Kolekole Pass for residents and visitors of the Waianae Coast. The entry to Kolekole Pass is at the end of Lualualei Naval Access Road. Motorists looking to evacuate the coast will need to transit immediately through the pass entering Schofield Barracks, continuing through the Army base, then on to Kunia Road. Vehicles are directed to drive carefully and stay on the prescribed route.

US Weather Services Issue Tsunami Forecast 

First waves arriving in Alaska's western Aleutian Islands. 

Expected arrival time for Kodiak, Alaska: 12:20 a.m. ET. 

Expected arrival time for Southeast Alaska: 12:45–1:55 a.m. ET.

Expected arrival time for Hawaii: 1:15 a.m. ET.

Expected arrival time for Washington state and Oregon: Between 2:35 and 2:55 a.m. ET.

"Northern California arrivals are expected to begin 2:50 a.m. ET, reaching San Francisco Bay around 3:40 a.m. ET and Southern California coastlines around 4 a.m. ET."

US President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social about the powerful earthquake, saying, "Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a tsunami warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way."

Sergei Lebedev, the regional emergency minister, confirmed that tsunami waves between 3 to 4 metres (10–13 feet) were recorded along the Kamchatka coast. He urged residents to move away from the shoreline and remain at higher ground.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) upgraded its tsunami warning, predicting waves up to 3 metres (10 feet) could impact vast stretches of Japan’s Pacific coastline.