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Russia’s Kamchatka Hit by Massive 8.8 Earthquake, Tsunami Waves Prompt Evacuations Across Japan and Warnings Around Entire Pacific Rim

A catastrophic magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday morning. The quake spawned a series of tsunami waves that sent people evacuating, shook buildings, and set off alarms across the Pacific, from Japan to the Galapagos Islands.  

The Russian Geophysical Service recorded more than 30 aftershocks, some reaching magnitude 5, within hours after the initial seismic shock.

Tsunami waves as high as 4 meters (13 feet) battered areas of Kamchatka’s coastline, damaging buildings and injuring several people, including at one regional airport. The quake was ‘the strongest in decades,’ Governor Vladimir Solodov said.

Pacific on Edge: Japan, Hawaii, and South America Prepare for Impact

When tsunami waves spread outward, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned large sections of its eastern seaboard. More than 1.9 million residents in 21 prefectures, including Hokkaido, Kanagawa, and Wakayama were advised to evacuate.

White-crested waves lashed Hokkaido, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures, including regions near Tokyo’s east. At 50cm, Ishinomaki port in northern Japan saw the highest so far, with JMA officials cautioning that larger waves may come.

Along the coast, beaches like Chiba’s Inage Beach and Fujisawa were closed. Sirens blared in beachside towns as residents rushed to higher ground, bringing back memories of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami.

World Shockwave: Tsunami Warnings from Alaska to Ecuador

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued far-reaching warnings, predicting waves over 3 meters high in regions of Ecuador, Hawaii, and eastern Russia.

Hilo Airport in Hawaii halted operations, and Governor Josh Green mandated evacuations on all islands, warning of ‘imminent flooding.’ In Ecuador’s Galapagos, beaches and piers were evacuated, and naval operations ceased.

Warnings also extended to Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Tonga, and Taiwan, with estimated waves of up to 1 metre. China’s tsunami advisory agency confirmed that 30 cm to 1 meter waves could strike its eastern coast.

Authorities Warn: Tsunami Risk Far from Over

The JMA and US National Weather Service stressed that tsunami waves may persist for over 24 hours and arrive in multiple surges. “This is not a single wave,” US officials posted. “Do NOT go to the coast to take photos. You’re putting yourself and rescue teams at risk.”

While Japan has escaped so far without significant harm, the quake serves as a sobering reminder of the Pacific's seismic unpredictability. It challenges the region’s preparedness for the next big earthquake.