World's Strongest Quake Since 2011 Hits Near Russia

Tsunami warnings issued for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 29, 2025 7:23 PM CDT
Updated Jul 29, 2025 8:04 PM CDT
Japan Issues Tsunami Advisory After 8.0 Quake Near Russia
The blue dot on this USGS map shows the location of Tuesday's quake.   (USGS)

Japan's meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning Tuesday after a massive quake hit close to Russia's Kamchatka peninsula. The United States Geological Survey said the quake was magnitude 8.8—the world's strongest quake since Japan's devastating 9.0-9.1 Tohuku earthquake in 2011. The National Tsunami Warning Center, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a tsunami watch for the West Coast all the way from Alaska to Mexico.

  • A tsunami warning also was extended to Hawaii, with the National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center saying a tsunami from the quake had been generated that could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands. "Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," the warning stated. The first waves were expected around 7pm local time, which is 1am Eastern.

The Japan Weather Agency said it expected a tsunami of around 10 feet to hit areas of the coast, reports Reuters. A warning was in place for much of the country's east coast. "People in the affected areas must evacuate immediately. Escape to a higher, safe location right away," authorities warned.

  • Japan's NHK television said the quake was about 160 miles away from Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's four main islands, and was felt only slightly there, the AP reports.
  • Russia's Tass news agency reported from the biggest city nearby, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably.
  • This story has been updated with new developments.

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