A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves that reached Hawaii and prompted widespread alerts across the Pacific. The quake, centered 119 kilometers southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, occurred at a shallow depth of 19.3 kilometers, making it one of the strongest recorded in the region since 1952.
In Hawaii, tsunami waves up to 1.2 meters were reported in Haleiwa and Kahului, with authorities urging residents to evacuate low-lying areas and seek higher ground or shelter above the fourth floor of buildings. Governor Josh Green noted that while no significant damage has occurred, the state remains on high alert as waves could continue for hours. All commercial harbors were closed, and flights at Maui’s Kahului Airport were canceled.
The earthquake caused minor injuries and damaged buildings in Russia’s Kamchatka region, including a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Tsunami waves up to 5 meters struck Severo-Kurilsk, flooding a port and fish processing plant. Japan issued evacuation orders for 1.9 million people along its eastern coast, with waves of 1.3 meters recorded in Hokkaido. Tsunami warnings and advisories extended to Alaska, parts of California, Guam, the Philippines, and South American nations like Ecuador and Chile.
Authorities across affected regions continue to monitor wave activity, urging residents to stay away from coastlines until the threat subsides.
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