The first earthquake detected in Japan

A first tsunami wave of about 30cm high was recorded in Japan, after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake occurred off Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.

The first wave has already hit Hokkaido, according to public broadcaster NHK. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that subsequent waves could be much higher than the first, with forecasts of up to 3 meters.

The tsunami warning was issued by the agency at 9:40 a.m. local time, covering the entire Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture. People in coastal areas were advised to evacuate to higher ground and closely monitor updates.

There are currently no reports of casualties or major damage. Japanese and international authorities are closely monitoring the situation to respond promptly to the risk that larger waves may continue to hit.

A series of countries issued warnings

At the same time, Indonesia and the Philippines also issued tsunami warnings due to concerns about widespread impacts from a strong earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka - an area that frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Tsunami warning issued

According to preliminary data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8, with its epicenter located about 135 km southeast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, occurring at around 7:24 p.m. Eastern Time (EST).

Immediately after the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for several areas, including Alaska's Aleutian Islands and all of Hawaii. At the same time, a tsunami watch was extended to cover the entire West Coast of the United States, from California to Washington.

The Oahu Emergency Management Agency (Hawaii) has urgently urged coastal residents to evacuate the danger zone. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that: “A tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake and has the potential to cause serious damage to coastal areas.”

Tsunami waves are expected to reach heights of more than 3 meters above normal tide levels in some areas of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The earliest the tsunami could reach Hawaii is 7:17 p.m. local time, and in Alaska around 4:46 p.m. local time.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also said that a 3-meter-high tsunami could hit the country's coast at around 10:00-11:30 (local time).

Urgent action advised

Meteorologist Matthew Capucci warned on social media: “Be prepared to evacuate vertically (to higher ground) if a warning is issued. Stay away from areas such as beaches, harbors, bays and estuaries. If you are on a boat and cannot get to shore in time, sail away from shore into water 180 feet (about 55 meters) deep or more to avoid the energy of the tsunami.”

The quake was the strongest recorded in 2025, and the first to reach or exceed magnitude 8.0 since 2021. Notably, just over a week ago, the area also recorded multiple seismic events, including a magnitude 7.4 quake.

The last earthquake of magnitude 8.7 occurred on February 4, 1965 in the Rat Islands off the coast of Alaska. Currently, US and international authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparing emergency response plans in case a tsunami actually occurs.

Tsunami in Russia's Far East

A magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a tsunami in Russia's Far East.

Authorities have ordered the evacuation of the entire town's population of more than 2,500 people to higher ground, away from the coast. Residents remain safe on high ground until the tsunami threat is completely removed. Emergency services are on high alert.