One of the most powerful earthquakes in modern history struck off the eastern coast of Russia late Tuesday evening, sparking widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific region. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.8, occurred just east of Petropavlovsk in Russia and has prompted emergency warnings for coastal areas in Hawaii, southern Alaska, the entire U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, and even as far as Japan and Guam.
Tsunami Warnings and Advisories Across the Pacific Rim
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) confirmed that the massive seismic event triggered tsunami waves capable of threatening lives and property across a vast portion of the Pacific. According to the PTWC, “A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii. Urgent action could be taken to protect lives and property.”
Early projections from the PTWC indicated that tsunami waves exceeding 9 feet above the normal tide level were possible near the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and parts of the Russian coastline. In Hawaii, Japan, and Guam, waves ranging between 3 to 9 feet (1 to 3 meters) were expected. The first waves were anticipated to strike Hawaii around 7:17 p.m. local time, corresponding to 1 a.m. Eastern Time.
@foxweather(FOX Weather) “LISTEN🚨🔊: Sirens blaring in Wailea Beach, Maui amid ongoing tsunami threat for Hawaii. Entire West Coast of U.S. on alert. Stay with FOX Weather for live coverage #weather#tsunami#alert Video credit: Jenny Welch”
July 29, 2025 https://x.com/foxweather/status/1950378149465727462
West Coast and Canadian Coastlines Brace for Impact
Although Hawaii and parts of Alaska were placed under official Tsunami Warnings, the entire U.S. West Coast and British Columbia were put under Tsunami Advisories. According to PTWC predictions, the timing for wave arrivals on the U.S. mainland would vary depending on location. Waves were expected to reach the Washington and Oregon coasts around 11:40 p.m. PT, San Francisco around 12:40 a.m. PT, and Los Angeles around 1:05 a.m. PT.
The advisory covers all inland waters connected to the Pacific Ocean, including areas such as San Francisco Bay in California, the Columbia River on the Oregon-Washington border, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
Crescent City, California, is forecasted to receive the most significant impact along the West Coast, with potential waves measuring between 3 to 5.7 feet. Other locations like Point San Luis could see waves ranging from 1.7 to 3.2 feet, while Fort Bragg and Santa Barbara might experience waves up to 1.5 feet. The remaining areas along the California coastline were expected to see waves under one foot, according to PTWC estimates.
