Tsunami Warnings Lifted After Major Earthquake Off Russian Coast

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering a series of tsunami warnings across the Pacific region. However, many of these alerts have since been downgraded or lifted, as the immediate danger has passed, though scientists continue to issue warnings about the potential for powerful aftershocks.

The quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, occurred near Petropavlovsk on Kamchatka and was the largest since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan, which caused a devastating tsunami that killed over 15,000 people. The tremor was felt as far away as Tokyo and generated tsunamis up to 4 meters high in some areas.

Authorities in Japan issued evacuation orders for nearly two million people, with many fleeing to higher ground. In Russia, the town of Severo-Kurilsk was hit by a tsunami that flooded the port area and submerged a local fishing plant. Officials reported that the town’s population of around 2,000 was evacuated, though no serious injuries were reported.

Across the Pacific, countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States issued tsunami warnings and advised people to avoid coastal areas. In Hawaii, flights were temporarily suspended, and a coastal evacuation was ordered before being lifted later in the day. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded the alert for Hawaii to an advisory, and local authorities lifted the evacuation order.

In Japan, a 1.3-meter-high tsunami hit the port city of Iwate, and the Japan Meteorological Agency later downgraded its tsunami alerts to advisories. In the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador closed visitor sites and schools as a precaution, with officials urging tourists to stay away from the coast.

Despite the initial chaos, many regions reported that the tsunami waves were not as severe as feared. The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that the earthquake was among the 10 strongest ever recorded, and it was followed by at least six aftershocks, including one of magnitude 6.9.

Authorities warned that aftershocks of up to 7.5 magnitude could still occur, and tsunami waves of up to 3 meters were possible in some areas. However, as of late Wednesday, most tsunami warnings had been lifted, and officials in Russia expressed relief that the far east had been spared from major damage.

“The walls were shaking,” said a Kamchatka resident. “It’s good that we packed a suitcase, there was one with water and clothes near the door. We quickly grabbed it and ran out... It was very scary,” she said.

In the wake of the disaster, emergency teams in Japan and Russia worked to ensure the safety of residents, with officials praising the quick response and evacuation efforts that helped prevent more severe consequences.

As the region begins to recover, scientists and emergency officials remain on high alert, monitoring for any further seismic activity that could pose a threat to coastal communities.