One of the most powerful earthquakes in recent history struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday. As a result, tsunami waves reached Japan, Hawaii, and parts of the U.S. West Coast. Authorities promptly issued warnings and urged residents to leave low-lying coastal areas.
Russia and Japan Hit First
In Kamchatka, massive waves inundated several ports. Residents fled inland as the water surged. Officials confirmed that tsunami heights reached 3–4 meters. Meanwhile, in Japan, waves up to 60 centimeters hit Hokkaido. At least one injury occurred, prompting the suspension of ferry and rail services in several regions.
Pacific Region on High Alert
Hawaii downgraded its tsunami warning to an advisory. Governor Josh Green cited 6-foot wave data from Midway Atoll and deployed helicopters and emergency crews. In Oregon, officials advised people to avoid beaches and harbors while strong currents continued.
Furthermore, authorities in Canada, Mexico, and several Pacific nations—including Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand—issued similar alerts. These areas warned of unpredictable wave surges and strong currents near coastlines.
Nuclear Plants Remain Secure
Japan’s nuclear safety agency confirmed that all facilities operated normally. At the Fukushima Daiichi plant, more than 4,000 workers relocated to higher ground as a precaution. While systems continued functioning, teams monitored operations remotely to ensure safety.
In towns such as Matsushima, residents rushed to shelters. Their memories of the 2011 tsunami encouraged rapid and careful responses.
Context and Seismic Analysis
The U.S. Geological Survey revised the quake’s magnitude to 8.8 and measured it at a depth of 20.7 kilometers. Several strong aftershocks followed. Experts called it the most powerful quake since Japan’s 2011 disaster.
Tsunami waves reached locations as far as Alaska, British Columbia, and Mexico. Emergency teams across the Pacific tracked wave activity and provided real-time updates. In British Columbia, small waves reached Langara and Tofino as predicted.
Experts Warn of Prolonged Risk
According to Dave Snider from the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center, tsunamis often consist of multiple waves arriving over several hours. He emphasized that these waves travel as fast as jets in deep water but rise significantly as they near shorelines.
Therefore, authorities continued to warn residents to stay away from the coast for the rest of the day. Even moderate waves could cause flooding and pose serious dangers when they strike repeatedly.
