Tsunami Warnings Issued for Alaska and Hawaii After Massive 8.7-Magnitude Earthquake Off Russia’s Coast
A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025, prompting widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific region—including Hawaii, parts of Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast.
📍 Earthquake Details
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Location: Approximately 125–126 km southeast of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky, Kamchatka, Russia
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Depth: Around 19 km (12 miles) beneath the seabed, a shallow epicenter that amplified tsunami risk
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Magnitude: Initially reported as 8.0, later upgraded to 8.7 by USGS
🚨 Tsunami Alerts & Expected Impact
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Tsunami Warnings were issued for:
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Hawaii (all islands)
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Western Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands
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Tsunami Advisories or watches issued for:
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California, Oregon, Washington
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British Columbia
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U.S. territories such as Guam, American Samoa, and other Pacific islands
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⏰ Wave Arrival Forecast (Approximate)
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Hawaii: First tsunami wave expected around 7:17 p.m. HST
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Alaska Aleutians: Waves anticipated by 4:40–4:46 p.m. AK ST
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California Coast: Initial impacts from 11:50 p.m. to 1:05 a.m. local time (varying by city)
⚠️ Safety Measures & Official Response
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Hawaii Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center and urged immediate coastal evacuation. Sirens rang statewide, marking the urgency of potential “destructive tsunami waves.”Japan issued evacuation orders along its Pacific coast (Hokkaido through Wakayama), with anticipated wave heights of up to 3 meters.
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U.S. West Coast and Canada placed under tsunami watch; residents advised to stay alert and avoid coastlines.
🌎 Historical Context & Long-Term Risks
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Alaska and Hawaii have a history of mega‑earthquakes and tsunamis, including the 1957 Andreanof Islands and 1946 Aleutian events. Both triggered tsunami waves felt across the Pacific.
Recent scientific studies highlight the vulnerability of Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest to seismic activity due to tectonic instability along the Cascadia and Aleutian subduction zones.
📝 Summary Table: Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Earthquake Magnitude | 8.7 Mw, off Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia |
| Date & Depth | July 29, 2025; ~19 km depth |
| Warning Areas | Tsunami Warnings: Hawaii, Western Alaska; Advisories/Watches: US West Coast, BC, Guam, etc. |
| Wave Arrival Times | ~7:17 p.m. HST in Hawaii; ~4:40–4:46 p.m. AK ST; ~Midnight–1 a.m. in CA |
| Safety Measures | Coastal evacuations, sirens, emergency center activations |
| Historical Comparisons | Comparable to past mega‑tsunamis in the Pacific |
🕯️ Final Thoughts & Precautions
This seismic event stands as one of the most significant of the year. Though initial wave arrivals may have passed, warnings remain in effect for many regions as multiple aftershocks and secondary swells may continue for hours. Residents in impacted zones—especially coastal areas—should maintain vigilance, heed official evacuation instructions, and stay attuned to real-time updates.