Tsunami alerts issued for West Coast after 8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Russia

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia on Tuesday, triggering tsunami

warnings for Hawaii and Alaska and advisories across much of the U.S. West Coast.

The quake occurred approximately 85 miles off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at a depth of nearly 12 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Initially reported as magnitude 8.0 and then 8.7, the USGS later upgraded the quake to 8.8. Significant aftershocks—measuring 6.3 and 6.9—were also recorded in the region.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and the state of Hawaii. Meanwhile, California, Oregon, and Washington remain under a tsunami advisory as officials continue to assess the threat.

In California, the alert was elevated from a watch to an advisory. If tsunami waves are generated, they are expected to reach the state’s coastline around 11:50 p.m., with the Los Angeles area likely affected around 1 a.m. local time. Out of caution, Huntington Beach officials have closed beaches and the city’s pier.

The U.S. territories of Guam and American Samoa are also under tsunami advisories, according to the USGS.

The first tsunami wave is forecast to reach Hawaii shortly after 7:15 p.m. local time. Emergency officials in Oahu have warned that destructive waves are expected. In response, Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency has activated its Emergency Operations Center, and coordination meetings are underway with Governor Josh Green’s team.

Sirens are sounding across all Hawaiian Islands as part of the state’s warning system, set to repeat every hour for the next three hours. Residents in coastal areas have been urged to evacuate to higher ground or move to at least the fourth floor of a sturdy building. Officials caution that tsunami waves can wrap around islands, meaning all shores are potentially at risk.

“The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave,” warned the National Weather Service (NWS). “Subsequent waves may follow, and the first wave is not always the largest.”

In Japan, authorities issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The Japan Meteorological Agency expects a wave about 1 meter (3 feet) high to reach Hokkaido around 10:00 a.m. local time, with other regions along eastern Honshu and southern Kyushu expected to see waves later in the day. Citizens have been urged to stay away from coastlines and river mouths and not to approach the water to watch the waves.

Tsunami warnings indicate the expectation of hazardous waves that could cause dangerous flooding and strong currents, while tsunami advisories signal that waves are possible due to a distant earthquake.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for further updates.