A magnitude 7.9 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula Tuesday has triggered tsunami watches for Hawaii and parts of the U.S. West Coast, including Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
The powerful undersea quake struck at 8:25 a.m. Japan time and was centered about 127 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in a highly active seismic zone within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Tsunami Watch for Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Coast
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) both issued tsunami watches following the quake. Hawaii officials initially advised the public to stay alert for updates, while the NTWC extended its watch to coastal areas in Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington.
By mid-morning, both agencies said no destructive tsunami was expected, but small sea-level fluctuations were possible along parts of the U.S. coastline.
“Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected,” said a PTWC statement. “However, some areas may experience minor sea-level changes.”
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said on Facebook that small tsunami waves were expected along the coast starting around 11:40 p.m. local time, with wave heights between 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 0.9 meters). They urged people to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas and to remain in a safe location away from the coast until the advisory is lifted.
Russia’s Kamchatka Coast Braces for Waves
The quake was felt strongly throughout eastern Russia, particularly in Kamchatka Krai, where buildings swayed and evacuations were ordered in coastal areas. Russia’s emergency management agency issued local tsunami warnings, expecting wave heights of 0.5 to 1 meter (1.6 to 3.3 feet) in some areas.
Schools and public buildings were cleared as authorities monitored coastal conditions. No serious injuries or damage have been reported thus far.
Japan Evaluates, No Threat Reported
Although Japan’s Meteorological Agency quickly reviewed the event, it determined that no tsunami threat existed for Japanese shores. However, the quake reignited anxiety in a region that remains highly sensitive to Pacific seismic activity.
Why the U.S. West Coast Was Put on Watch
The tsunami watch extended to the U.S. West Coast was issued out of an abundance of caution due to the quake’s strength and location. While the depth of the earthquake—about 24 miles beneath the seafloor—makes it less likely to produce massive waves, historical precedent has taught authorities not to underestimate Pacific seismic events.
In past incidents, tsunamis generated by quakes near Kamchatka have reached as far as the western U.S. shores, prompting officials to take preemptive safety measures.
What Residents Should Know
While watches have since been lifted or downgraded, emergency management officials advised that residents in Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska should always be prepared in the event of an undersea quake:
- Monitor NOAA alerts and local emergency broadcasts
- Have an evacuation plan for coastal or low-lying areas
- Stay away from beaches until watches are lifted
- Report unusual ocean activity
This event serves as a stark reminder that seismic activity anywhere along the Pacific Rim can ripple across the ocean in a matter of hours, potentially threatening distant coastlines.
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