A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck far-eastern Russia on Tuesday morning, setting off tsunami warnings across the Pacific and prompting large-scale evacuations in Japan, Hawaii, and parts of the US west coast.
The tremor, which hit at 11:25am local time, caused minor injuries and damaged infrastructure, including a power grid in Russia’s Sakhalin region. In response, authorities declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands, where footage showed waves inundating a port town.
In Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami waves as high as 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) were reported, while 30cm (12-inch) surges reached Hokkaido, northern Japan. The Midway Atoll between Japan and Hawaii also recorded a wave reaching 6ft (1.8m), from trough to peak.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green confirmed the Midway wave height and warned: “We’re still expecting a significant wave,” noting that the all-clear will only be given when there is “total safety.” He urged residents to obey evacuation orders and remain calm.
Across the Pacific, Japan has ordered the evacuation of 1.9 million people from coastal areas, with officials warning that tsunami waves could persist for more than 24 hours. Meanwhile, in Honolulu, Mayor Rick Blangiardi issued a full tsunami alert, urging those in low-lying zones to immediately move to higher ground.
In the US mainland, California officials advised residents to stay away from beaches and coastal areas. Elsewhere, tsunami alerts of varying intensities have been issued in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, New Zealand, Peru, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador.
In a national address, US President Donald Trump urged Americans to “be on alert for tsunami warnings” as emergency services across the Pacific remained on high alert.
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