Tsunami alerts across multiple nations have been lifted or downgraded following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, sparking fears of widespread destruction across the Pacific.
The quake, which occurred early Wednesday about 78 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of just 11 miles, was the region’s strongest since 1952. Tsunami waves of up to five meters (16 feet) were recorded in Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk, inundating coastal areas and disrupting infrastructure. Russian authorities have since lifted tsunami warnings for the Kamchatka and Kuril Islands.
Widespread alerts and evacuations were triggered across the Pacific rim, stretching from Japan and Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, Latin America, and multiple Pacific islands. While the earthquake’s magnitude raised concerns of catastrophic waves, most regions experienced only minor flooding.
United States: Tsunami warnings and evacuation orders along the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii were canceled by Wednesday afternoon. Crescent City, California, reported waves of approximately 8 feet, but damage was limited thanks to recent harbor upgrades. Hawaii also escaped major impacts, and residents were cleared to return home hours after initial evacuations.
Japan: More than 2 million people were evacuated from coastal areas, with waves generally smaller than forecast. One fatality was reported, and the Fukushima nuclear plant temporarily suspended operations as a precaution.
French Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands: Tsunami warnings were lifted after waves of 1.1–1.5 meters hit the islands far below initial predictions of up to 4 meters.
Latin America: Coastal evacuations were ordered in Chile, Easter Island, and the Galápagos Islands, though wave activity ultimately proved less severe than expected.
Emergency agencies praised the effectiveness of early-warning systems, which gave coastal communities vital time to move to safety. “This was a stark reminder of how crucial preparedness is for seismic events in the Pacific basin,” one U.S. emergency official said.
As of Wednesday evening, tsunami threats across the Pacific had largely subsided, with authorities in affected nations lifting or downgrading advisories.