A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025, the strongest in the region since 1952. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of just 19 km, increasing the risk of tsunamis across the Pacific.

Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific, with authorities urging coastal residents to move to higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that “wave arrivals were expected around 7:17 p.m. HST,” and the first waves reached Hawaii shortly after, though their size varied by location.

Reports from Reuters and The Guardian noted that the quake “sent shockwaves across the Pacific Ocean,” with tremors felt as far as Japan and Alaska.

Emergency services in Kamchatka evacuated coastal towns as sirens blared, while local media described scenes of panic and traffic jams along evacuation routes.

As aftershocks continued, scientists monitored the region closely for further seismic activity, warning that “strong aftershocks remain possible in the coming days.”