WORLD NEWS – Massive 8.8 earthquake off Russian Coast triggers tsunami alerts across Pacific, including Hawaii

Ananya Roy, News Writer

One of the most powerful earthquakes in modern history, an 8.8-magnitude tremor off Russia’s remote Far East, sent tsunami waves surging across the Pacific on Tuesday, triggering evacuations from Hawaii to Japan. The quake, the strongest to hit Russia in over 70 years, shook the Kamchatka region and prompted widespread alerts. While tsunami waves reached the U.S. West Coast, Japan, and Russia’s Kuril Islands, officials in Hawaii and along the California coast reported minimal damage. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the threat of a major tsunami on U.S. shores had “passed completely.” Millions in Japan were urged to evacuate, and dramatic footage showed residents taking refuge on rooftops.

In Russia, the municipality of Severo-Kurilsk suffered flooding and structural damage to homes, ports, and facilities. Despite the scale, no deaths have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon. Water levels along parts of the California coast continue to fluctuate, with tsunami advisories still in effect in some areas. Scientists say the quake mirrors the 1952 megathrust event and could represent a 75-year seismic cycle. For now, the Pacific breathes a cautious sigh of relief — but experts warn this may not be the last major tremor in the region’s future.