A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, prompting tsunami warnings in Hawaii, parts of Alaska, and elevated levels of surveillance along the west coast of the U.S. and Canada.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) raised the alert in Hawaii to the highest level (red), and also in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, where more than 5,000 people are in potentially impacted coastal areas. A yellow warning was initially issued for the U.S. and Canadian Pacific coast, which was upgraded to an orange alert, the second level on a three-color scale.
Tsunami warning for earthquake in Russia
The earthquake occurred at 23:25 GMT on July 29, southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of about 20 km, which increased its destructive potential.
Initially recorded as magnitude 8.0, it was updated to 8.8 by the U.S. Geological Survey USGS and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts that the first waves could reach Alaska within an hour of the quake, while Hawaii would be within the 3- to 4-hour range for the predicted wave impact.
In response to this event, Honolulu issued an evacuation order for the coastal areas of the metropolitan area.
Warnings were also extended to British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, California, Guam and other Pacific islands.
The threat has generated preventive evictions at several points, although so far no fatalities have been reported in the US.
Trump sends message
President Donald Trump posted a message through his social networks calling for calm and preemptive action.
“Due to a major earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning has been issued for residents of Hawaii.
“A Tsunami Watch has been issued for Alaska and the Pacific coast of the United States.
“Japan is also in the area. Visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information.
“STAY STRONG AND SAFE!” wrote President Trump underscoring the serious nature of the warning issued by NOAA.
Historical context: precedents in the region
Intense and long shaking in #Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
When the duration of the movement, in the area of the epicenter is greater than 1 minute, it can be estimated that the magnitude will be greater than 8. In this case, being 8.8, the perceptions could have exceeded 2… pic.twitter.com/w22N0ntdud
– SkyAlert (@SkyAlertMx) July 30, 2025
This type of tremor is not unusual for Kamchatka, a region located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its high seismic activity.
In 1952, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake generated waves of up to 30 feet (9 meters) and caused damage in Hawaii and other areas of the Pacific, but no fatalities in the US.
Why is it relevant for U.S. Hispanics?
Potential Impact: Communities in Hawaii, Alaska, the West Coast, and territories such as Guam may face flooding and dangerous currents.
Estimated waves: Up to 3 meters in Japan and parts of Canada, higher only in areas near the epicenter.
Community reaction: Authorities have recommended evacuating the coast and moving to higher ground; emergency vehicles are on high alert.
Prevention is key: Being informed and prepared can save lives.
Practical recommendations for readers
If you are in Hawaii or Alaska, follow official evacuation instructions.
West coast users should be alert to local warnings although large waves are not yet expected.
Stay informed through NOAA, NWS and sites like AP News and People for real-time updates.
The situation continues under constant monitoring while authorities evaluate complementary data, aftershocks and possible additional impacts on other Pacific coasts.
Stay strong and safe!
President Trump
