Tsunami warnings hit Japan and more Asian countries after powerful Russia quake
While the epicentre was deep in the northwest Pacific Ocean, the seismic activity sparked a wave of warnings for low-lying coastal areas across the region. So if you've got travel plans in East Asia — or you're already there and wondering whether to ditch the beach — here's the latest.
Where exactly was the earthquake?
The quake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula around 8.25am local time, just 119km east-southeast of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. This region, known as the Kuril-Kamchatka arc, is a notoriously active seismic zone. The tremor was shallow, at a depth of about 19.3 kilometres. It's now been recognised as the sixth-strongest earthquake ever recorded on Earth, tied with the 2010 earthquake in Biobío, Chile and the 1906 earthquake in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
Which Asian countries are affected?
The initial tsunami warnings were issued for:
Japan: tsunami warnings for waves up to 3 metres have been issued along Japan's coast, from Hokkaido in the north to the country's southern islands. Residents along coastlines and rivers have been advised to evacuate as a precaution. According to the latest reports, tsunami waves have reached parts of Japan, the highest being a 1.3-metre tsunami recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate prefecture.
China: the country is on alert for tsunami waves between 30cm and 1 metre on its eastern coast. This comes amidst a tropical storm battering China's north.
Taiwan: warnings issued for waves up to 1 metre on the country's southeastern and southwestern coasts.
South Korea: primarily southern coastal areas like Jeju
Indonesia: areas such as Papua, North Maluku province, and Gorontalo province remain on high alert for tsunami waves.
The Philippines: large swathes of Pacific coastal areas in the Philippines are bracing for potential tsunami waves up to 1 metre high.
While no immediate large waves were observed in most places, the situation remains fluid as authorities track aftershocks and potential sea-level changes.
Should travellers be worried?
If you're planning to travel to major Asian cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, or Taipei, there's no need to panic. These inland urban centres are operating as normal, with no major disruptions to flights or public transport reported as of now.
If your itinerary includes beach towns, coastal hot springs, or island getaways, maybe hold off on that dip in the ocean for a bit. Some ferry services may be delayed or cancelled, and local alerts are in place.
What now?
Tsunami alerts can change quickly, especially after a deep quake with aftershocks. Travellers are advised to:
To sum it up: a powerful undersea quake shook the Pacific, and parts of Asia aren't taking any chances. So far, no disaster – but caution is the name of the game. If you're already travelling in Asia, keep calm, stay inland if possible, and swap that seaside sunset for a neon-lit ramen joint instead.
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