Pacific on Alert: 8.8 Magnitude Quake Sparks Tsunami Threats!

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday 29th July, marking the strongest quake in the region in nearly 73 years. The earthquake occurred at approximately 11:25 p.m. GMT, at a depth of 20.7 kilometers, about 126 kilometers from the Kamchatka regional capital.

The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 8.7, but later upgraded it to 8.8.

This seismic event triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, with waves potentially reaching three meters (10 feet) along Russian and Hawaiian shores.

Authorities also warned of possible waves of similar height threatening Japan and the US territory of Guam.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Tsunami Warning System displayed alerts in various zones, including red for warnings, orange for advisories, yellow for watches, and purple for threats.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu warned of the danger late on July 29, 2025.

The earthquake caused significant flooding and damage in Severo-Kurilsk, a town in northern Kuril Islands with around 2,000 residents.

Videos shared on social media showed streets flooded and buildings submerged. Residents have been evacuated from affected areas.

In Japan, live footage showed people evacuating on foot and by car to higher ground, especially in Hokkaido, where an initial 30-centimeter tsunami was observed.

This quake is the strongest in the region since 1952 and has prompted widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific, affecting Russia, Japan, Hawaii, and Guam.

Source: Le Mauricien