Tsunami Waves Reach U.S. Coast After Massive 8.8 Quake Off Russia’s Far East
Tsunami warnings were issued and widespread evacuations ordered across the Pacific after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s remote Far East region — one of the strongest quakes ever recorded.
What We Know So Far:
- Tsunami waves have now reached Hawaii, California, and Washington, triggered by the undersea quake.
- Hawaii initially braced for the most severe impact, but the tsunami warning there was downgraded to an advisory just before 5 a.m. ET, allowing residents to safely return home.
- In Japan, nearly 2 million people were asked to evacuate, while Russia’s Kuril Islands were also hit by waves.
- No deaths have been reported so far, and early indications suggest minimal structural damage.
Kremlin Response:
Russian officials have praised the country’s emergency response. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that all tsunami warning systems functioned effectively and that evacuations in high-risk areas were carried out swiftly.
“In general, the seismic resistance of the buildings proved itself, so thank God there are no victims,” said Peskov. “Technological preparedness proved itself and was at a high level.”
Understanding Tsunamis:
While many recall the devastation of Japan’s 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the science behind tsunamis remains complex and evolving. Unlike regular ocean waves, tsunamis are described as long waves of small steepness. They often move with enormous force — not as towering waves but as walls of water that surge inland.
Governor Josh Green of Hawaii emphasized this at a press conference:
“This is not like a 3-foot wave breaking on the shore. It’s a longitudinal wave with great force — a forceful wall of water.”
Experts from the University of Western Australia explain that tsunamis gain speed as they travel into shallower coastal waters, increasing in vertical height and impact.
Nature Reacts: Sea Lions Flee in Panic
Incredible footage from Antsiferov Island, a remote volcanic island near the Kamchatka Peninsula, captured the moment sea lions lounging on rocks leapt frantically into the sea as tremors shook the cliffs and rocks tumbled down.
The dramatic scene was filmed by a tourist on a boat during a nature tour. The island, known for its Steller sea lion population, offered a rare glimpse at how wildlife reacts instinctively to seismic activity.
