Massive waves feared as quake rattles region near 1952 disaster zone – residents urged to flee coastal areas
A colossal 8.7-magnitude earthquake has rocked Russia’s far eastern coast, setting off tsunami alarms across the Pacific – with warnings issued for the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, California, and even Ecuador.
The violent seabed shake occurred near the Kamchatka Peninsula, not far from the epicenter of a 1952 quake that unleashed a deadly tsunami across the Pacific.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu warned of towering waves up to three meters (10 feet), potentially crashing into Russia’s coast, the northwestern Hawaiian islands, and even as far as Chile.
‘Hazardous waves incoming’ – officials on high alert
The earthquake, originally reported at magnitude 8.0, was upgraded to 8.7 by the US Geological Survey, prompting a flurry of emergency alerts across multiple time zones.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a tsunami advisory on Wednesday morning, urging residents in coastal provinces facing the Pacific Ocean to stay away from beaches and shorelines.
Although waves in the Philippines are expected to be less than a meter high, authorities cautioned that even minor tsunamis can be deadly and unpredictable.
Japan sounds sirens as waves approach
In Japan, where memories of the 2011 tsunami disaster still haunt coastal communities, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heightened tsunami advisory shortly after 8:37 a.m. local time.
“Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted,” the agency warned on X (formerly Twitter).
Public broadcaster NHK reported expected wave arrival times between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., urging people to evacuate low-lying areas and avoid riversides.
West Coast USA on edge
In the United States, emergency push alerts were blasted to mobile phones from Alaska to California, with specific concern for Guam and Hawaii. Sirens were reportedly tested in several coastal cities as a precaution.
“Tsunami waves reaching more than 3 meters above tide level are possible,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
The agency described the situation as “hazardous”, noting the possibility of strong currents, flooding, and repeated wave action.
Aftershocks add to panic
At least six powerful aftershocks have since struck the region — the strongest measured at 6.9 magnitude, adding to fears of structural collapse and further undersea disturbances.
The earthquake’s location mirrors the infamous 1952 Kamchatka quake, which unleashed a devastating tsunami that surged across the Pacific basin.
So far, no casualties or damage have been reported — but emergency teams across the region are on high alert.
