Tsunami alerts issued for West Coast after 8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Russia A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia Tuesday, sparking tsunami warnings in Hawaii and Alaska and alerts for other areas of the West Coast.
A powerful earthquake struck about 85 miles off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula with a depth of nearly 12 miles, upgraded by the U.S. Geological Survey to a magnitude above 8.0. Aftershocks of magnitude 6.3 and 6.9 were also reported in the area.
Tsunami warnings and advisories have been issued across the Pacific. Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and Hawaii are under a tsunami warning, while California, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and American Samoa are under advisories. The first wave is expected to reach Hawaii after 7:15 p.m. local time, with California expecting possible waves around midnight.
Authorities in Hawaii have activated emergency centers and are sounding sirens across the islands. Residents in coastal areas, including Honolulu, have been urged to evacuate or move to higher floors due to the threat of destructive waves.
Japan has also issued advisories for its Pacific Coast, expecting a 1-meter tsunami in Hokkaido and later waves in Honshu and Kyushu. Officials urge people to stay away from the shore and remain alert, as tsunami waves can be unpredictable and dangerous for hours after the first wave.
