Moscow [Russia], July 30 (ANI): A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck on Wednesday morning near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, triggering widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 20.7 km, making it prone to strong aftershocks. Another earthquake of similar magnitude followed shortly thereafter.
“Notable quake, preliminary info: M 8.0 – 136 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia,” the USGS stated.
Two significant aftershocks were recorded — one measuring 6.9 and another 6.3 on the Richter scale.
“Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.9 – 147 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia,” said the USGS.
“Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.3 – 131 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia,” it added.
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.9 – 147 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) July 30, 2025
https://t.co/mu2sfSh4in
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.3 – 131 km SE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) July 30, 2025
https://t.co/5WtneGynfj
Tsunami waves as high as 3–4 meters were observed in Kamchatka, according to regional emergency minister Sergei Lebedev. Evacuations were ordered in Kamchatka, Japan, and other locations, including Hawaii, which remains under a tsunami watch.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry confirmed that a tsunami had already impacted the port town of Severo-Kurilsk, home to approximately 2,000 residents. “The tsunami flooded parts of the port town of Severo-Kurilsk … The population has been evacuated,” the ministry said in a statement, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The USGS stated that the July 29, 2025, M8.8 earthquake east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was the result of shallow reverse faulting. The Pacific Plate is moving west-northwest relative to the North American Plate at a rate of about 77 mm/year in this region. It added that although commonly represented as a single point, earthquakes of this size typically involve slip across a wide fault area.
Reverse faulting events of this scale are generally about 390 km long and 140 km wide. The Kuril-Kamchatka Arc, where this quake occurred, is a seismically active zone and has experienced 31 other M6.5+ earthquakes within 250 km of the July 29 epicenter over the past century.
This includes a M7.4 earthquake that struck the area on July 20, 2025, now considered a foreshock. The epicenter of the latest earthquake lies about 45 km southeast of the epicenter of the 1952 M9.0 Kamchatka earthquake, which caused a destructive tsunami across the Pacific.
Tsunami Alerts Across Pacific:
US President Donald Trump issued a public message acknowledging the tsunami warnings. “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter).
https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1950379902789964153
The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles also issued a tsunami advisory, stating that waves may arrive by 1:00 AM local time. “If you are located in the coastal area, move off the beach & out of harbors & marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch,” the service posted.
https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1950378776870723945
Meanwhile, the NWS in Eureka, California, warned that multiple waves were expected to begin arriving by 11:50 PM local time. “Waves could last for 10–36 hours. Mariners should move to a depth of at least 30 fathoms,” the service said.
https://x.com/NWSEureka/status/1950377347313492292
The NWS San Francisco Bay Area office emphasized public safety, warning that approaching the coast to take photos would endanger both individuals and emergency personnel. “This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,” the office said.
Additionally, the US Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port in Honolulu ordered all commercial vessels to evacuate Hawaii’s commercial ports as a precautionary measure.
https://x.com/USCGOceania/status/1950400512744182127
The USGS later confirmed that the quake struck off Russia’s Far East coast at 8:25 AM local time and revised its strength from an initial 8.0 to 8.7, and then finally to 8.8. (ANI)
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