Russia earthquake: Tsunami warnings downgraded in US, waves taller than 3 ft hit Japan, Hawaii & California

USGS has warned of ‘extensive damage’ and ‘some casualties’. Waves have hit the California coast, reaching up to 5 ft. Hawaii witnessed waves as high as 5.7 ft, while Japan recorded waves up to 4.27 ft.

People watch the coastal area from Hiyoriyama Park after Japan issued evacuation alert following major quake in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula | Reuters

New Delhi: The National Weather Service has downgraded tsunami warning for all places except Northern California, prompting officials to lift most evacuation orders and allow people to return to previously cleared areas.

Earlier, residents of Hawaii were told to evacuate and move to the fourth floor or higher of buildings with at least ten storeys, after warnings of a ‘destructive tsunami’. Officials have still urged people to avoid shorelines until an all-clear is given.

In the Philippines, a tsunami advisory issued for several coastal areas has also been cancelled. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said no destructive waves were recorded after the earthquake.

Vacationers stand on balconies at a resort looking towards Waikiki Beach after authorities warned of tsunami waves in Honolulu, Hawaii | Reuters

Waves over 3 feet struck Hawaii and California along the West Coast of the US, besides Hokkaido prefecture in Japan hours after a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck the remote Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East at 6:57 am IST Wednesday.

The last time an earthquake of this magnitude was recorded was in 2010 in Biobío, Chile, killing 523 people and destroying more than 370,000 homes, making it the sixth-largest earthquake on record.

Russia last experienced a quake of this scale more than seven decades ago, in 1952, during the Severo-Kurilsk earthquake, which measured 9.0 in magnitude. It remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Russia.

Trail of devastation caused by the earthquake in Severo-Kurilsk region off the coast of Kamchatka Peninsula in 1952 | Russian Academy of Sciences

The US Geological Survey has warned that the earthquake Thursday may cause “extensive damage” with a potentially widespread impact. It estimates economic losses between 0–4 percent of Russia’s GDP and notes that past events of this scale have required a national or international response.

Estimated Economic Losses as per USGS PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) | www.usgs.gov

The USGS has predicted that “some casualties” are possible. The relatively low number of reported deaths may be due to the peninsula’s sparse population, with major population centres far enough from the epicentre to avoid the worst of the shaking and tsunami impact.

Estimated casualties as per USGS PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) | www.usgs.gov

A wave measuring 5.7 ft was recorded at Maui, while another of 4.9 ft was observed in Hilo, Hawaii.

Been on Maui 11 years. My first official Tsunami siren. pic.twitter.com/w65Dcxu9j3

— Edward Dowd (@DowdEdward) July 30, 2025

The  National Weather Service said as of 1:49 pm IST on Wednesday, the tsunami had reached the California coast. Cresent City recorded waves taller than 3 feet.

Huge waves were seen reaching the coastline of Hokkaido in Japan on Wednesday | Reuters

Meanwhile, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said tsunami waves have reached parts of the country’s coast. Waves as high as 3 metres have been predicted to hit Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate prefectures. The tallest wave recorded so far is 1.3 metres, observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. Thousands of people near the coast have been told to evacuate for their safety.