Tsunami warnings issued along Pacific coasts after 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia

A woman watches a television broadcast of a tsunami warning in Tokyo on July 30, 2025. RICHARD BROOKS, RICHARD A. BROOKS / AFP

A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands off the eastern Kamchatka peninsula and Japan's large northern island of Hokkaido after a powerful, 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia early Wednesday, July 30. Warnings are also in place for Alaska, Hawaii and other coasts south toward New Zealand.

People were advised to move to higher ground around much of the Pacific coast and warned that the potential tsunami danger may last for more than a day. Most places where tsunami waves have already washed ashore have reported no significant damage so far.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying that bigger waves could come later.

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