Key points
- Much of Japan’s eastern seaboard ordered to evacuate
- Over 1.9 million people have been asked to evacuate in Japan
- US Navy has secured vessels in Hawaii ports
- It has directed evacuation of shorelines and beaches
ISLAMABAD: A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and sparked evacuation orders across the Pacific on Wednesday.
The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan’s eastern seaboard – devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 – was ordered to evacuate, Reuters reported.
Japan
According to the BBC, over 1.9 million people have been asked to evacuate in Japan.
Around 10,500 of these people are in Hokkaido, where local media footage shows people gathering on a rooftop.
Some also gathered in an observatory overlooking the beach in Chiba south of Tokyo.
Authorities have continued to urge residents on Japan’s east coast to evacuate to higher ground.
The Meteorological agency said that tsunami waves could reach up to 3 metres high.
Hawaii
The US Navy has secured vessels in Hawaii ports and directed the evacuation of shorelines and beaches as tsunami waves hit the state, a spokesperson for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the main island of Oahu was quoted as saying by CNN.
US President Donald Trump said a tsunami warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii.
“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. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” he said.
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. Please visit https://t.co/wdFzeu1I0h for the…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2025
The US military also opened a pass on Oahu’s western Waianae Coast to help facilitate evacuation efforts, Navy Region Hawaii spokesperson Lydia Robertson said.
Russia
The authorities ordered the evacuation of the Russian coastal town of Severo-Kurilsk’s population, estimated at just over 2,500, to elevated areas away from the coast, according to Russia Today.
The earthquake off the country’s east coast damaged some buildings including a kindergarten that collapsed – though no injuries were reported.
Tsunami waves began arriving soon after, with several hitting the Severo-Kurilsk district on the southern tip of the country’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
California
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday issued an evacuation warning to all people living on vessels in Moss Landing, a popular spot for surfing and tourists, according to CNN.
The Sheriff’s Office warned that tsunami waves are expected to reach the Monterey County coastline by 12:15am Pacific Time (3:15am ET).
“We are recommending that these individuals seek other lodging arrangements for the duration of the tsunami advisory for California Coastal counties,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote on X.
EVACUATION WARNING – The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an evacuation warning to all persons living aboard vessels in the Moss Landing area. We are recommending that these individuals seek other lodging arrangements for the duration of the tsunami advisory for… pic.twitter.com/apMJMqttRv
— Monterey Co Sheriff (@MCoSheriff) July 30, 2025
Where are the tsunami warnings?
The US Tsunami Warning Centres said waves of more than three metres high are possible along some coasts of Ecuador, the northwestern Hawaiian islands and Russia.
Waves between one to three metres are possible along some coasts of Chile, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Japan and islands in the Pacific, it adds.
Waves of up to one metre were possible elsewhere, including Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Tonga and Taiwan.
