Tsunami Hits Hawaii and California After Massive Pacific Earthquake
On July 30, 2025, a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake triggered tsunami waves that swept across the Pacific, impacting regions from Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, as well as Japan, Russia, and South Pacific islands.
Hawaii Experiences Tsunami Waves, No Fatalities
Tsunami waves arrived in Hawaii, with reports of 4 to 6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) in areas such as Kahului (Maui) and Oahu
Governor Josh Green stated that the state did not see a “wave of consequence”, and no fatalities or serious injuries were reported
Following the initial impact, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory, but officials cautioned that strong currents and follow-up waves could still pose hazards
California and U.S. West Coast Feel the Surge
The tsunami reached the U.S. mainland shortly before 1 a.m. local time, hitting Northern California with waves measured at 3.6 feet (1.1 m) in Crescent City and surges of 1.4–1.6 feet (0.4–0.5 m) in Arena Cove, Monterey, and the San Francisco Bay Area
While no injuries were confirmed, the National Weather Service warned of damaging currents and potential coastal flooding, especially during high tide periods
Japanese Evacuations and First Reported Death
In Japan, authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 2 million residents, including workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant, though no irregularities were reported at the facility
A 58-year-old woman in Mie Prefecture tragically died after her vehicle went off a cliff during evacuation procedures—the first confirmed fatality linked to this tsunami event
Secondary wave heights in Hokkaido reached about 30 cm (1 ft), though more powerful surges were expected in exposed coastal
Russia's Far East Faces Strongest Impact
On Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, waves of up to 5 meters (16 ft) inundated parts of the Severo-Kurilsk region—causing flooding in ports and damaging local infrastructure. The town’s 2,000 residents were evacuated, and minor injuries were reported; no deaths have been confirmed
Russia’s emergency services declared a state of emergency, while aftershocks up to magnitude 7.5 continued to shake the region
Flight Disruptions and Evacuation Moves
Transportation across the Pacific was significantly disrupted: Airlines including Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines canceled or diverted flights bound for Hawaii, and many Japanese ferry and regional flights were suspended. Evacuations and warning messages were sent via official channels across multiple countries, from Guam to Mexico and Peru
Waves Not Over — Continued Danger Remains
Tsunami experts cautioned that the initial waves may not have been the worst. Secondary waves could continue across affected regions for several hours to more than a day, especially near complex coastal topography. Coastal residents are urged to heed all official safety guidance until alerts are fully lifted
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