Tsunami alerts lead to evacuations in Japan and the US following a strong earthquake in Russia

A significant earthquake off the coast of Russia has led to tsunami warnings across the Pacific, resulting in emergency evacuations from Russia's far east to northern Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. The 8.8 magnitude quake occurred near the Kamchatka Peninsula at 11:25 a.m. local time on Wednesday (23:00 GMT on Tuesday). It's one of the ten most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of severe damage or injuries.

Courtesy : EPA

Thousands of residents in Pacific nations rushed to higher ground, but many regions have since downgraded their tsunami warnings. On the U.S. West Coast, waves are still rolling in, mainly heading south. Crescent City in northern California experienced waves reaching up to 1.09 meters (3.6 feet), as reported by the National Tsunami Warning Center. Southward in San Francisco, tidal surges measured up to 0.7 meters. In Los Angeles, officials indicated that Port San Luis was experiencing a "rapid and damaging surge" as tides fluctuated. In Hawaii, where coastal residents evacuated to higher ground, waves of 1.2 meters (4 feet) hit Oahu, and Maui saw even larger waves at 1.7 meters. Governor Josh Green cautioned residents, stating, "This is not a regular wave. It can be deadly if you are caught by a tsunami." However, shortly after, he noted, "So far we have not seen a wave of consequence." Subsequently, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded the tsunami warning for Hawaii to an advisory level, suggesting potential for strong waves and currents as well as minor flooding, but indicating that a major tsunami is no longer expected.

Stephen Logan, director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, advised those who evacuated to return home while remaining cautious: drive slowly and watch for flooding. A powerful earthquake struck Russia, where tsunami waves reaching up to 5 meters (16 feet) affected areas such as Severo-Kurilsk, a small port town with around 2,000 residents. Fortunately, no significant injuries or damage have been reported, and the tsunami warning for Kamchatka has been lifted. In the Sakhalin region, a state of emergency was declared in the northern Kuril islands due to damage caused by the quake, which led to a shutdown of the power grid. Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov noted that this earthquake was the strongest the region has faced in decades, with at least six aftershocks following, including one that reached a magnitude of 6.9.

Courtesy : Reuters

In Japan, thousands were awakened by tsunami sirens as waves exceeding one meter struck the Pacific coast, particularly impacting Iwate prefecture, where nearly two million residents were advised to evacuate. Authorities have now lowered the tsunami warning to an advisory status for various regions, extending from northern Tokyo to Wakayama in the southwest. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reported that no damage has been confirmed at this time. At the troubled Fukushima nuclear plant, all 4,000 personnel were evacuated, but operators stated that no "abnormalities" have been found. The plant experienced a catastrophic 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, which resulted in a nuclear meltdown. In Canada, British Columbia has also issued a tsunami advisory for most coastal areas, advising residents to stay clear of the ocean and wait for further updates.

In French Polynesia, officials have updated their forecasts for Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, now expecting wave heights to reach up to 4 meters, while nearby islands should see smaller waves just under a meter. Tsunami alerts are still active for Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, prompting coastal residents to seek higher ground for safety. In contrast, China's tsunami alert for Zhejiang Province and Shanghai has been lifted, and thankfully, no damage has been reported. The Philippines has also canceled its own alerts. Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to have an active advisory. There is potential for smaller tsunami waves, ranging from 1 to 3 meters, to affect various coasts including those of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Tonga. Peru has issued a tsunami warning and is maintaining "constant surveillance" on the evolving situation.

This warning was prompted by a significant earthquake that occurred approximately 126 kilometers (about 78 miles) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at a depth of 18 kilometers, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. The tremor has been classified among the sixth most severe earthquakes in history, alongside the notable 2010 quake in Biobío, Chile, and the 1906 earthquake in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.