After the 8.7 magnitude earthquake in Russia: How far could the tsunami reach and who's most at risk?
Live Events
Russia confirms structural damage, tsunami tmpact
Wider Pacific on high alert
Tsunami alerts extended beyond Russia and Japan.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center placed Hawaii under a tsunami watch.
Guam, Micronesia, and other islands in the Pacific were also included in regional advisories.
1 to 3 metres could hit coasts of Japan, Hawaii, Guam
0.3 to 1 metre waves were possible in the Philippines, Palau, Marshall Islands, and Chuuk
Less than 0.3 metres were forecast for Taiwan, South Korea, and North Korea
Tsunami arrival estimates issued
Shemya (Alaska): 4:40 p.m. AKDT
Kodiak (Alaska): 8:20 p.m.
California coast: From San Francisco to San Diego, between 12:15 a.m. and 1:15 a.m. PDT
Washington and Oregon: Beginning around 11:35 p.m.
British Columbia: Langara by 10:05 p.m. PDT, Tofino by 11:30 p.m.
Earthquake Warning: Monitoring continues across region
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A major earthquake measuring 8.7 in magnitude struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday morning, prompting tsunami watches for large parts of the US West Coast and urgent warnings across Japan and the North Pacific.The US National Tsunami Warning Center issued a watch for the Pacific coastlines of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands and parts of British Columbia in Canada. Estimated tsunami arrival times ranged from late Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, Pacific time.In its advisory, the centre warned of the potential for strong currents, dangerous surges, and wave activity in affected coastal zones. People were advised to stay off beaches and away from harbours and marinas.The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory, later upgrading the expected wave height from 1 metre to 3 metres. The advisory covered broad stretches of Japan's Pacific coastline, with officials predicting initial wave impact on eastern Hokkaido about 90 minutes after the quake.Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged coastal residents to act quickly, 'Those near the coast should evacuate immediately to higher ground or safe buildings in the areas covered by the tsunami warning from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture. Please be aware that after the initial wave, second and third waves of tsunamis can be even higher.'East Japan Railway temporarily suspended some services as a precaution. The Japanese government also activated a task force to track developments and manage emergency responses.Also Read:The earthquake struck at a depth of 19.3 kilometres, with the epicentre located 125 kilometres east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 on Russia's Pacific coast. The quake was initially measured at magnitude 8.0 but was later upgraded to 8.7 by the US Geological Survey.Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a Telegram video, 'Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors.'He confirmed a kindergarten was damaged, though no serious injuries were initially reported. Russia's TASS news agency later noted several people sustained minor injuries, including at a regional airport.A tsunami wave of 3 to 4 metres was observed in parts of Kamchatka, according to Sergei Lebedev, the region's minister for emergency situations. Authorities urged residents to move away from shorelines immediately.The town of Severo-Kurilsk, located south of the peninsula, was evacuated following an order by Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko, who cited the threat of incoming waves.According to the US Tsunami Warning System, waves reaching:The New Zealand Disaster Management Agency issued a public alert, warning people to expect 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at shore.'Projected tsunami arrival times included:These forecasts covered a vast stretch of coastline, including areas as far inland as Tacoma and Port Angeles, where delayed surges could arrive between 12:20 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. PDT.This is the strongest quake to hit the region since 2011, when a 9.0–9.1 megaquake off northeast Japan caused massive devastation and loss of life.Kamchatka sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most geologically volatile areas on Earth. So does Japan, which is no stranger to powerful quakes and tsunamis.Earlier this month, five separate undersea quakes were recorded near Kamchatka. The largest, a magnitude 7.4, occurred at a depth of 20 km and roughly 144 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.Historically, the region has seen extreme seismic events. On 4 November 1952, a magnitude 9.0 quake off Kamchatka triggered 30-foot waves in Hawaii, though no fatalities were reported.As of Wednesday evening, tsunami watches and advisories remained in place. Emergency services in multiple countries were on alert for possible aftershocks and secondary waves.Agencies in Russia, Japan, the US and elsewhere continue to monitor oceanic wave behaviour and fault-line activity closely. No all-clear has been given yet.Residents along the Pacific rim have been urged to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and avoid coastal zones until authorities declare it safe.
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