Tsunami hits Russia’s far east after major 8.8 earthquake while Japan, US and Canada on tsunami alert: Live updates – UK Times

A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s large northern island of Hokkaido after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake early on Wednesday.

Tsunami warning sirens sounded in Honolulu, Hawaii, where people were told to move to higher ground.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30cm reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido.

The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko. He said residents were safe and staying on high ground until the threat of a repeat wave was gone.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said waves of 1-3m above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than 3m were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador.

The centre said a tsunami could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands. “Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property,” the warning stated.

New Zealand authorities issued warnings of “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” along coastlines throughout the country.

A tsunami with a height of 3-4m was recorded in parts of Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, shortly after a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s far east region.

Several people were injured in the remote Russian region, according to officials.

“Today’s earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,” Kamchatka governor Vladimir Solodov said on Telegram.

United States President Donald Trump has urged people to “STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” in a post on his Truth Social account which was also shared on X:

“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!”

The United States Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning to the states included in the tsunami alerts:

“Please be advised that there is a tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii. There is also a tsunami watch for Alaska and the west coast of the United States. Find high ground and stay safe.”

The earthquake that struck off Russia’s Far East has been upgraded to an 8.8 magnitude tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey.

It was previously recorded as an 8.7 magnitude earthquake.

A tsunami advisory that includes San Francisco has been issued, according to the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.

In a post on X, the agency wrote: “A Tsunami Advisory means strong, dangerous currents are expected to impact San Francisco beaches, harbor and marina docks, and finger piers in shoreline areas. Dangerous currents are expected to begin at 12:40am tonight (7/30) and may last for many hours. San Francisco’s public safety agencies are working together to evaluate whether the evacuation of shoreline areas is necessary, and will send out additional alerts as soon as possible. For more information on current emergencies in San Francisco visit sf.gov/readysf”

Tsunami alerts have been issued for Hawaii, California and Alaska following a massive magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the coast of Russia on Tuesday.

The entire west coast of the U.S. has been alerted to watch for signs of dangerous waves and parts of Canada, Russia and Japan are also under tsunami alerts.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the earthquake hit just before 1.30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time near the coast of Kamchatka in Russia’s far east.

Officials are watching for signs a tsunami may be developing. While the state of Hawaii and the California coastline were put on a tsunami watch, parts of Alaska have been put on a tsunami advisory.

Read more from Graig Graziosi:

Tsunami warning sirens were blaring Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground after a n 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern coast.

Traffic was backed up in some neighborhoods in Honolulu, The Associated Press reports, and officials were preparing to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route out of Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, said sate Rep. Darius Kila. Even though it’s summer break, some schools issued alerts canceling sports and other activities.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1 to 3 meters (yards) above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than 3 meters (yards) were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador.

Oahu Emergency Management has warned residents to “take action” as “destructive tsunami waves expected.”