Tsunami waves hit Hawaii after 8.8 earthquake in Russia's Far East

A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake shook Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves up to 5 metres (16 feet) and prompting widespread evacuation orders, including across Hawaii and parts of the Pacific.

The earthquake, which struck at a shallow depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), was centred about 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 residents. 

An earthquake off Russia

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude of 8.0 before upgrading it to 8.8. Officials also recorded a series of strong aftershocks, one as high as magnitude 6.9.

Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called the quake “the strongest in decades of tremors” and confirmed building damage and several injuries, though no fatalities were reported. 

Russia’s Ministry for Emergency Services said a kindergarten was among the damaged structures but stressed that most buildings in the region withstood the severe shaking.

Tsunami waves reached parts of Kamchatka, partially flooding the port of Severo-Kurilsk and a local fish processing plant, while vessels were swept from their moorings.

Tsunami hit coastal Russian town after Kamchatka quake 

Scientists said this was the most powerful quake to hit the region since 1952.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued alerts, and coastal communities in Hawaii were ordered to evacuate to higher ground or the upper floors of sturdy buildings.

“Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves are expected,” the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management urged on social media. 

By 0600 GMT, waves of 1 to 1.2 metres were recorded along the Hawaiian islands.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green confirmed that no major tsunami damage had occurred so far, but as a precaution, all flights in and out of Maui were cancelled. 

Magnitude 8.8 earthquake hits Russia’s Kuril islands

The U.S. Coast Guard also ordered ships out of harbours ahead of the wave impacts.

In Japan, which suffered a catastrophic magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in 2011, eastern coastal areas were temporarily placed under evacuation orders. 

Authorities reminded residents of the importance of staying alert amid aftershocks and the risk of potential wave surges.

A resident in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky described the tremor as “a deep, rolling shake that went on for several minutes, longer than anything we’ve felt in years.”

This event underscores the Pacific’s vulnerability to powerful seismic activity and the importance of early warning systems that can save lives during major earthquakes and tsunami threats.

Summary:

• Massive 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

• Tsunami waves of 3–5 metres along the Kamchatka Peninsula.

• Tsunami warnings issued for Japan, Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, and several Pacific nations.

• Strongest earthquake in the region since 1952, according to the Russian Academy of Sciences.