A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, sending tsunami alerts across the Pacific and prompting extensive evacuations from the Russian far-east to the US west coast and Japan. The tremor occurred at 11:25 AM local time on Wednesday, and while it is among the top 10 most powerful quakes recorded, initial assessments show no severe damage or injuries reported.
**Tsunami Alert Leads to Mass Evacuations Following Major Russian Earthquake**
**Tsunami Alert Leads to Mass Evacuations Following Major Russian Earthquake**
A significant earthquake off Russia's coast prompts tsunami warnings and evacuations from multiple Pacific nations.
In nations around the Pacific, thousands fled to higher ground amid initial fears of dangerous tsunami waves. In California, Crescent City recorded waves of 1.09 meters (3.6 feet), while Hawaii experienced even stronger waves, prompting urgent warnings. Governor Josh Green cautioned residents about the potential danger of tsunami waves, although later updates downgraded Hawaii's warning to an advisory, allowing evacuees to return with caution.
In Russia, tsunami waves reached up to 5 meters (16 feet) in some areas, but reports indicate minimal injuries and damage. Kamchatka's governor stated it was one of the most intense earthquakes the region has seen in decades, with several aftershocks following the initial quake. Across Japan, more than a million residents were alerted, and the tsunami warning gradually transitioned to advisories, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assuring there are no confirmed reports of damages.
Other nations, such as Canada and various Pacific Island nations, issued their own tsunami alerts, leading to further evacuations, but many areas have since lifted their warnings following assessments of the situation. Meanwhile, countries including China and the Philippines have cancelled their tsunami alerts.
In Russia, tsunami waves reached up to 5 meters (16 feet) in some areas, but reports indicate minimal injuries and damage. Kamchatka's governor stated it was one of the most intense earthquakes the region has seen in decades, with several aftershocks following the initial quake. Across Japan, more than a million residents were alerted, and the tsunami warning gradually transitioned to advisories, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assuring there are no confirmed reports of damages.
Other nations, such as Canada and various Pacific Island nations, issued their own tsunami alerts, leading to further evacuations, but many areas have since lifted their warnings following assessments of the situation. Meanwhile, countries including China and the Philippines have cancelled their tsunami alerts.
