Tsunami highlights: Evacuations ordered in Chile, Colombia; Japan, Hawaii lower alerts

Tsunami warning live updates: In Hawaii, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi urged both residents and the thousands of tourists to move to higher ground or upper floors of buildings for safety.

Governor Josh Green emphasised the danger, saying, "People should not, and I will say it one more time, should not, as we have seen in the past, stay around the shoreline or risk their lives just to see what a tsunami looks like."

He further warned, "It is not a regular wave. It will actually kill you if you get hit by a tsunami."

Tsunami warning live updates: Authorities in Russia’s far eastern Sakhalin region announced a state of emergency on Wednesday for the northern Kuril Islands, following tsunami waves that caused flooding and structural damage.

“A state of emergency has been declared in the North Kuril District, where an earthquake and tsunami occurred today,” AFP quoted the Sakhalin government as saying.

Tsunami warning live updates: More than 1.9 million people across Japan have been advised to relocate to safer areas as tsunami waves reached various parts of the coastline, disrupting transportation nationwide — although the waves have so far been smaller than earlier predictions, CNN reported.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has issued targeted evacuation directives impacting 1,905,596 residents in 21 prefectures, with the highest numbers in Hokkaido, Kanagawa, and Wakayama.

Television footage broadcast by Japan's public broadcaster NHK showed white-crested waves lapping the shores of Hokkaido in the north and the eastern coastal areas of Ibaraki and Chiba, near Tokyo.

A tsunami measuring 50 centimetres (1.6 feet) was recorded at Ishinomaki port in northern Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported — the largest wave height observed so far across several northern coastal areas. However, higher waves were still expected, said Shiji Kiyomoto, an official handling earthquake and tsunami response at the JMA.

Tsunami warning live updates: According to Russia’s Geophysical Service, “after [the] main earthquake off Kamchatka, 30 additional tremors with magnitude of 2 to 5 on [the] seismic scale have been recorded.” Several people sustained minor injuries, including at a regional airport, as reported by Russia’s TASS news agency.

In Japan, widespread evacuation orders were issued along the eastern coastline, a region still haunted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov addressed the situation in a message shared on Telegram: “Today’s earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors.”

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East on Wednesday, causing structural damage and triggering a tsunami up to 4 metres (13 feet) high. The seismic event led to evacuation orders and tsunami warnings across the Pacific region.

Tsunami warning live updates: The US Tsunami Warning Centres warned that waves exceeding three metres above regular tide levels could strike coastal areas of Ecuador, Russia, and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Authorities in various Pacific-bordering nations across North and South America — including the United States, Mexico, and Ecuador — advised the public to stay away from vulnerable beaches.

The agency also predicted waves between one and three metres could reach coastal regions of Chile, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and several other Pacific islands and archipelagos.

In other locations, such as Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Tonga, and Taiwan, waves of up to one metre were anticipated.

The warning centre described the conditions as “hazardous.”

Meanwhile, in Japan’s Chiba prefecture, officials cordoned off Inage Beach. A rescue worker informed AFP that the seaside zone would stay closed until further notice.

Tsunami warning live updates: In Japan, residents fled to higher ground by car or on foot, including in Hokkaido, where the initial wave reached 30 centimetres. As of midday (0300 GMT), there were no reports of injuries or damage.

Tsunami warning live updates: The Bay Area division of the National Weather Service in US has issued a strong advisory, cautioning the public against underestimating the dangers of a tsunami and specifically urging people not to head to the coast to capture images. In a post on X, the agency stated:

"Friends please be aware, a Tsunami is a series of wave[s] carrying a large extra mass of water to our coast.

This will NOT be a single wave.

Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos.

You’re not just putting yourself at risk, you will also be putting rescue teams at risk."

Tsunami warning live updates: A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday morning at a depth of 21 km.

The quake triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific, including Japan, Canada, California, Hawaii, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

In Japan, waves of 30 cm in Hokkaido and 10 cm in Kanagawa were recorded; waves up to 1 meter expected in southern regions.

PM Shigeru Ishiba warned, “Second, third, and fourth waves could be bigger” and urged continued vigilance.

In Hawaii, waves between 1–3 metres expected post 7 pm local time; Hilo airport operations suspended.

Governor Josh Green ordered immediate coastal evacuations, warning of “imminent flooding on all islands.”

Tsunami warning live updates: The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a warning that a major tsunami could be expected for more than a day following the powerful earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

The agency indicated that coastal regions should remain alert, as tsunami waves and related hazards may persist well beyond the initial quake. Authorities urged the public to avoid coastal areas and stay informed through official updates, stressing that the risk may continue for over 24 hours after the seismic event.

Tsunami warning live updates: Ecuador ordered precautionary evacuations of beaches, piers, and low-lying coastal zones in the Galapagos Islands late on Tuesday, following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s eastern coast.

"A tsunami warning has been established for the Insular Region (Galapagos), which indicates the immediate suspension of maritime activities, as well as preventive evacuations of beaches, docks and low-lying areas," Ecuador's Secretariat for Risk Management said, as quoted by AFP.

Tsunami warning live updates: China’s tsunami warning centre announced on Wednesday that waves ranging from 30 centimetres to one metre were anticipated to strike sections of the country’s eastern coastline following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

"Based on the latest warning and analysis results, the Tsunami Advisory Center of the Ministry of National Resources has determined that the earthquake has triggered a tsunami, which is expected to cause damage to certain coastal areas of China," the advisory centre said.

Tsunami warning live updates: Peru issued a tsunami alert on Tuesday following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s far eastern coast, the country’s navy reported.

The Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation of the Peruvian Navy stated, "After an analysis and evaluation by the National Tsunami Warning Center, it has been determined that this event generates a tsunami warning for the Peruvian coast," adding that the situation "will be kept under constant surveillance."

Tsunami warning live updates: More than 900,000 people across Japan were placed under evacuation advisories following the tsunami alert, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. So far, no reports of injuries or property damage have been confirmed.

The advisory affected residents in 133 municipalities spanning from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, all located along Japan’s Pacific coastline. Authorities have not yet disclosed how many people actually moved to shelters.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a tsunami wave measuring 50 centimetres (1.6 feet) struck Ishinomaki—marking the highest wave observed so far after Wednesday’s earthquake.

Tsunami warning live updates: The National Weather Service’s Tsunami Warning Center reported that tsunami waves could begin reaching the Bay Area’s west coast around 12.30 am on Wednesday, July 30, following a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Pacific coast.

In its advisory, the NWS stated:

"TSUNAMI WATCH in effect for the California coast. Estimated time of arrival as early as 12:15 AM on July 30. People along the coast: Stand by for further updates."

The Tsunami Warning Center of the National Weather Service outlined when tsunami waves might begin reaching California. According to the forecast, waves could arrive near Fort Bragg around 11:50 pm on Tuesday.

Other coastal areas in California may experience wave activity into the early hours of Wednesday, with La Jolla and Oceanside expected to be impacted around 1.15 am.

Tsunami warning live updates: A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Far East early Wednesday, triggering a tsunami in the northern Pacific and prompting alerts for Alaska, Hawaii, and coastal regions as far south as New Zealand.

• Tsunami sirens rang out in Honolulu, prompting people to evacuate to higher ground.

• Japan reported a 40 cm (1.3 ft) tsunami in Tokachi, Hokkaido.

• Russian regions near the epicenter, including the Kuril Islands, saw evacuations and damage, but no serious injuries.

• Severo-Kurilsk, a main settlement on the Kuril Islands, was hit by the first wave; residents remained on higher ground as a precaution.

• Hawaii's coastlines could face tsunami-related damage, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

• Oregon issued a tsunami advisory, expecting 1–2 ft waves and warning people to stay away from coastal areas until the alert is lifted.

• Officials stressed, “This is not a major tsunami, but dangerous currents and strong waves may pose a risk.”

• The advisory extended to Canada’s British Columbia, Washington state, and California.

• The quake struck at 8:25 a.m. Japan time, initially measured at magnitude 8.0 but later upgraded to 8.8 by the USGS.

• The epicentre was 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky; multiple aftershocks followed, some as strong as 6.9 magnitude.

• Infrastructure damage and power outages were reported in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but no major injuries.

• This quake is the strongest globally since the 2011 Japan disaster, and among the most powerful ever recorded.

• Japanese nuclear plants showed no signs of abnormalities; 4,000 workers at Fukushima Daiichi took shelter on higher ground.

• The Philippines warned of possible waves under 1 meter along its eastern coast, advising people to avoid beaches and coastal waters.

• New Zealand also issued alerts for strong currents and surges, urging people to stay out of water and away from vulnerable coastal zones.

• The Kamchatka quake is the strongest in the region since 1952, with aftershocks likely for a month, according to Russia's Geophysical Survey.

Tsunami warning live updates: The Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences said that Wednesday’s earthquake near the Kamchatka Peninsula was the most powerful since 1952 and caused dangerous tsunami waves along the coastline.

In a message shared on Telegram, the Kamchatka branch of the Service warned, "Given the scale of this event, we should expect strong aftershocks, possibly with magnitudes up to 7.5."

The statement added that "significant, noticeable aftershocks with magnitudes up to 7.5 are expected to continue for at least another month."

Tsunami warning live updates: Mexico activated response measures across all levels of government on Tuesday to prevent people from accessing Pacific beaches, following a tsunami warning triggered by a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake in eastern Russia, according to AFP.

The Mexican Navy cautioned that strong sea currents are anticipated near port entrances, stretching from Baja California in the northwest to Chiapas in the country's southern region.

Tsunami warning live updates: California Governor Gavin Newsom has been updated on the tsunami advisory issued in the wake of the massive earthquake off Russia’s coast, according to a statement from his press office shared on X.

“We encourage everyone to stay alert and follow guidance from local emergency personnel,” the message said.

The post also mentioned that California’s Office of Emergency Services is actively working with local authorities in coastal areas. CNN has contacted officials to obtain further details on the ongoing preparedness measures.

Tsunami warning live updates: A 1-foot rise in sea level was recorded near Alaska's volcanic Amchitka Island around 5:14 p.m. Pacific Time, which meteorologists say is the “highest recorded water level above the tide level” linked to the tsunami so far, according to CNN.

The United States issued multiple alerts of different intensities along the West Coast of North America, extending from Alaska all the way down to the full length of California’s coastline.

Tsunami warning live updates: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) Tsunami Warning Centre has reported that an earthquake of magnitude 8.7 was detected on 30 July 2025 at 04:54 IST (29 July 2025 at 23:24 UTC). The earthquake occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka, at the coordinates 52.57°N, 160.08°E. INCOIS has confirmed that there is no tsunami threat to India or the Indian Ocean region in connection with this earthquake.

Tsunami warning live updates: A post on X by Hawaii’s Department of Transportation states that the Coast Guard has instructed all vessels across every island to leave port due to the tsunami threat.

The initial tsunami waves are anticipated to reach Hawaii around 7 pm local time — approximately two and a half hours from now.

Tsunami warning live updates: The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is closely monitoring the tsunami threat following the recent 8.7-magnitude earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Indian nationals residing in California, other U.S. West Coast states, and Hawaii are urged to take safety precautions.

Follow official alerts: Stay updated with announcements from U.S. authorities, especially local emergency services and the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.

Move to higher ground immediately if a tsunami warning is issued in your area.

Stay away from coastal zones during the alert period.

Be prepared: Keep emergency supplies ready and ensure your mobile devices are fully charged.

For assistance, the Consulate has issued a helpline: +1-415-483-6629.

Tsunami warning live updates: Amid widespread tsunami warnings issued across the US, Russia, and Japan following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, US President Donald Trump has urged the public to exercise caution and stay safe.

“Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” he posted on X.

Tsunami warning live updates: Workers at Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated on Wednesday after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast led to tsunami alerts across the Pacific.

"We have evacuated all workers and employees" at the Fukushima Daiichi facility — which experienced a meltdown after the 2011 tsunami — a spokeswoman for plant operator TEPCO told AFP, adding that "no abnormality" had been observed at the site.

Tsunami warning live updates: Tsunami alerts were issued across parts of the Pacific on Wednesday after an 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east.

What is a tsunami?

• A tsunami is a surge of seawater usually triggered by a strong undersea earthquake.
• It forms when tectonic movement pushes or pulls the ocean floor, displacing massive volumes of water.
• Tsunami waves can travel in all directions at jet-like speeds across vast distances.
• Though rare, they can cause destructive coastal flooding and strong currents.

Other causes of tsunamis:

• Apart from earthquakes, tsunamis can result from volcanic eruptions, undersea landslides, or meteorite impacts.
• The 1883 Krakatoa volcanic eruption caused a tsunami that killed around 30,000 people.
• NOAA also notes storms and cosmic impacts as possible triggers.

Name and origin:

• "Tsunami" is a Japanese word meaning "harbour wave".
• The term "tidal wave" is incorrect—tsunamis are unrelated to tides.

How tsunamis behave:

• At sea, they appear as low, widely spaced waves.
• As they near the coast, waves compress and rise dramatically in height.
• Multiple waves may hit over hours or even days.

Historical account

• In 365 AD, Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus described the sea pulling back to expose the seabed, followed by waves killing thousands and hurling ships onto rooftops.

What affects tsunami impact?

• Factors include the quake’s magnitude, displaced water volume, seabed shape, and presence of natural barriers.
• The Pacific is especially prone due to frequent seismic activity.