Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Strikes on Russia, Japan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula late Sunday, unleashing tsunami waves that hit coastal areas of Russia and Japan, prompting widespread evacuations and tsunami alerts from Hawaii to South America.
The quake, recorded at 7:24 p.m. EST, was centered roughly 84 miles southeast of Kamchatka.
It was the most powerful seismic event globally since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan and ranks as the sixth strongest ever measured.
Tsunami waves struck Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s Hokkaido region, with early footage showing buildings inundated and residents evacuating to higher ground.
Russian officials said several people were injured, including one woman who jumped from a window.
A kindergarten building was damaged in Kamchatka, according to regional governor Vladimir Solodov, though it was unoccupied during the quake.
Japan's Meteorological Agency confirmed a wave of approximately 30 centimeters reached Nemuro.
Authorities issued warnings for potential waves of up to three meters across several coastal prefectures, including Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aichi.
People in Mukawa, northern Japan, took shelter on rooftops in response.
In Hawaii, the governor declared a state of emergency.
“All coastal areas should move inland and to higher ground immediately,” Governor Josh Green said.
Traffic congestion was reported as residents fled tsunami zones.
Emergency sirens were activated, and alerts instructed residents to prepare for waves up to 3.5 meters high.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center placed Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Guam, and multiple Pacific nations under tsunami watch or advisory.
The US National Weather Service updated Los Angeles from “Watch” to “Advisory,” urging people to leave beaches and harbors.
The tsunami threat for Australia and New Zealand was being monitored, with New Zealand warning of potential surges on both islands’ coasts.
US President Donald Trump addressed the crisis on Truth Social, stating: “A Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii… Japan is also in the way.”
Workers at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility were evacuated as a precaution.
TEPCO, the plant operator, reported no abnormalities at the site.
The Russian Academy of Sciences noted this was the region’s strongest quake since 1952.
Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Geophysical Service, said: “Aftershocks are ongoing… Stronger tremors are not expected. The situation is under control.”
Historical data highlights the deadly potential of such quakes.
An earthquake of identical 8.8 magnitude in Chile in 2010 left over 500 people dead.
Japan’s 2011 quake and tsunami resulted in nearly 20,000 dead or missing.
Officials across the Pacific emphasized that tsunami waves are unpredictable, with multiple destructive surges often occurring hours after the initial quake.
Residents were repeatedly warned to avoid returning to the coast until given the official all-clear.
