Tsunami warnings remain in place across parts of South America after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Russian far east in the early hours.
Fears of a devastating tsunami in the US and Japan faded over Wednesday after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s sparsely populated Kamchatka peninsula.
But as the region breathed a sigh of relief - with authorities in Hawaii and parts of Japan, Russia and California downgrading their warnings - new evacuation warnings were issued along South America’s Pacific coast.
Colombia, Chile and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands all saw restrictions and evacuations issued, including beach and school closures. "Remember that the first wave is usually not the strongest," Chilean president Gabriel Boric warned on social media.
Several people were injured during the earthquake, but none seriously and no major damage was reported.
Hours later, lava was seen coming from the Klyuchevskoy volcano on the peninsula as it began to erupt.
On Kamchatka, near the quake's epicentre, residents fled inland as ports flooded, while cars jammed streets in Honolulu.
Tsunamis are triggered by underwater earthquakes, which cause the seafloor to rise and drop, pushing huge volumes of sea water into waves.
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Key Points
- Evacuations remain in place in South America
- Volcano in Russia begins to erupt after earthquake
- Waves reach US west coast
- Evacuation orders lifted in Hawaii
- Powerful 5m-tsunami wave lashes Russian coast
- Russia struck by 'one of the strongest recorded earthquakes'
Dozens in Japan find refuge on hilltops and on rooftops
23:14
,
Alex Croft
A tsunami of 2 feet (60 centimeters) was recorded in Hamanaka town in Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Several areas reported smaller waves, and at least one person was injured.
In Iwaki, a city in Fukushima prefecture, which was the epicenter of the 2011 tsunami and quake, dozens of residents gathered at a hilltop park after a community siren sounded and breakwater gates were closed.
Workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, severely damaged in 2011, took shelter on higher ground while remotely monitoring operations, the operator said.
Hours later, Japan downgraded its tsunami alert but left an advisory in place along the Pacific coast.
Evacuations ordered in South America
22:27
,
Alex Croft
Chile, a place highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, raised its warning to the highest level early Wednesday for most of its lengthy Pacific coast and began evacuating hundreds of people.
"Remember that the first wave is usually not the strongest," Chilean president Gabriel Boric warned on social media.
Colombian officials ordered the complete closure and evacuation of beaches and low-tide areas while maritime traffic was being restricted. Ecuador canceled classes at schools in the Galapagos Islands as well as communities along the coast.
French Polynesia lifts alert after tsunami waves smaller than feared
21:03
,
Daniel Keane
Local authorities lifted the tsunami alert in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia on Wednesday and said people could return to their homes, but said residents should remain cautious.
The High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia said wave heights had reached 1.50 metres, down from a previous forecast of up to 4 metres.
Additional smaller waves were expected in the coming hours, officials said.
Tsunami advisory for Hawaii has now ended
20:35
,
Daniel Keane
A tsunami advisory for the stateof Hawaii has now ended, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement.
It comes hours after officials in Hawaii said residents who had evacuated could return to their homes.
Earthquake is strongest recorded since Japan in 2011
20:31
,
Daniel Keane
The earthquake off the coast of Russia appeared to be the strongest recorded since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off Japan in 2011 caused a massive tsunami and meltdowns at a nuclear power plant.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said initial reports showed Japan's nuclear plants were not affected this time.
Wednesday's quake occurred along the "Ring of Fire," a series of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean.
It was centred offshore, about 120km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka's regional capital.
Massive earthquake prompts evacuations – full report
19:20
,
Jane Dalton
Watch: Volcano starts erupting
18:43
,
Jane Dalton
Chile tsunami warning at highest level
18:09
,
Jane Dalton
Chile has upgraded its tsunami warning to its highest level.
The red alert covers most of its 6,400km (4,000-mile) Pacific coastline, from Arica and Parinacota near its northern border to Magallanes in the far south.
The education ministry cancelled classes along much of the coast.
Threat to US 'passed completely'
17:43
,
Jane Dalton
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the threat of a major tsunami hitting the United States had passed completely.
Ms Noem said: "We're in really good shape right now. We were fully deployed and ready to respond if necessary, but grateful that we didn't have to deal with the situation that this could have been."
UK needs to be aware of tsunamis, warns expert
16:35
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Bryony Gooch reports:
Professor Ilan Kelman from UCL's department of Risk and Disaster Reduction has said the tsunamis across the Pacific Ocean mean we should have a greater awareness in the UK for these types of disasters.
"Tsunamis have happened around the UK in the past and we travel," he says. "Tragically in the 2004 [Boxing Day] tsunami, 149 people affiliated with the UK died.
"Be aware that anywhere near water, tsunamis can happen. Tsunamis are relevant to the UK. Tsunamis are relevant to the British. We have coastlines and we travel. So please ensure that when you travel, and anyone living near the shore knows what to do when a tsunami may strike their location."
Tsunami mapped: Hawaii and California warnings issued after massive earthquake
16:25
,
Athena Stavrou
Watch: Hawaii beachgoers evacuate amid tsunami warnings
15:55
,
Athena Stavrou
View of Ocean Beach, California, after tsunami wave warning
15:32
,
Athena Stavrou
Russian surgeons keep steady hands during massive Kamchatka quake
15:22
,
Athena Stavrou
A team of medics was in the middle of surgery in the Far Eastern Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky when Wednesday's very powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake shook their equipment and the floor beneath them.
The medics used their hands to try to steady both the patient and their equipment, CCTV footage released by the Kamchatka region's Health Ministry showed.
"Despite the danger, the doctors remained calm and stayed with the patient until the very end," Oleg Melnikov, the minister, wrote on Telegram. He gave no details of the surgery but added that the patient was currently out of danger.
South American countries issue alerts and warnings
15:05
,
Athena Stavrou
Authorities in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands have put in place precautionary evacuations to safe zones due to a tsunami risk.
It is one of several South American nations who have issued warnings and alerts.
Columbia has downgraded its initial tsunami alert to an advisory.
Meanwhile, Chile has issued a red alert for Pascua Island while a tsunami alert is in effect for much of its northern and central coastline.
Pictured: Waves crash at the border wall on the Mexico-US border
14:42
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami waves reach French Polynesia but expected to be smaller than first feared
14:31
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami waves began hitting the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia early on Wednesday - but the waves are now forecast to be smaller than initially feared.
The highest wave heights are yet to come, but they are now expected to reach 1.1 to 2.5 metres, down from a previous forecast of up to 4 metres, the High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia said.
Some initial wave surges were reported on the island of Nuku Hiva, and between five and 10 additional ocean waves are expected in the coming hours, the high commission said.
Volcano in Russia begins to erupt after earthquake
14:14
,
Athena Stavrou
A volcano in Russia has begun erupting after Wednesday’s powerful earthquake.
Lava was seen coming from the Klyuchevskoy volcano on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Academy of Sciences' United Geophysical Service said: "A descent of burning hot lava is observed on the western slope. Powerful glow above the volcano, explosions."
Located around 450 km (280 miles) north of the regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Klyuchevskoy is one of the highest volcanoes in the world.
It has erupted several times in recent years.
Japan downgrades tsunami alert
13:50
,
Jane Dalton
Japan has downgraded its last remaining tsunami alert but tsunami advisories remain in place for its Pacific coast.
Tsunami advisory cancelled for part of California
13:44
,
Jane Dalton
The US National Tsunami Warning Centre says the tsunami advisory is cancelled for a stretch of the southern coastal area of California, from the California-Mexico border to Rincon Point, California.
Is it safe to travel to Japan?
13:28
,
Jane Dalton
Russian volcano starts erupting
13:19
,
Jane Dalton
A volcano in Russia's far east has started erupting after the earthquake, Russian state news agency RIA is reporting.
The Klyuchevskoy volcano is on the Kamchatka peninsula.
Pictured: Areas under warnings
13:14
,
Jane Dalton
Over 2 million evacuated from Japan
12:55
,
Athena Stavrou
Today’s earthquake and tsunami warnings have triggered evacuations across the Pacific, including in Japan.
More than 2 million people were told to evacuate as waves hit much of the northern and eastern coasts.
The warnings in parts of the country were later downgraded to advisories, but some remained in Hokkaido and Tohoku.
Russia cancels several tsunami alerts
12:40
,
Athena Stavrou
Russia has recently lifted several tsunami alerts.
Alerts and warnings were cancelled in Severo-Kurilk, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.
Is it safe to travel to California? Latest advice after tsunami warning for US west coast
12:27
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami waves have started to reach the US west coast after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday, causing tsunami waves to roll towards countries around the Pacific Rim.
A wave of 3.6ft was observed at Crescent City as the tsunami reached California in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time.
Here’s what to know if you are travelling in or out of the west coast of the US as the tsunami hits the shoreline.
Waves continue to hit California
12:06
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami waves are continuing to hit the coast of California, authorities have said.
The Bay Area weather service said tidal swings of 2 to 2.5 ft have been spotted in the San Francisco area.
It said: “This can create some seriously dangerous currents along beaches and harbors. It's just a good idea to stay away from the water today!”
Warnings of 4m waves in French Polynesia
11:50
,
Athena Stavrou
Authorities in French Polynesia warned some residents to expect tsunami waves up to 4 metres high in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
They said the waves would reach several of the Marquesas Islands including Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa at 00:57am local time (10:27am GMT).
Other islands in the Marquesas are expected to experience wave heights between 0.60 m and 0.90 m, the local government said.
If you're only just joining us:
11:33
,
Athena Stavrou
If you are only just joining us, here is a summary of what has happened so far:
- An 8.8 magnitude earthquake, believed to be one of the strongest on record, hit eastern Russia.
- The tremor triggered tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific, including in Russia, Japan, Hawaii and the US west coast.
- The biggest wave so far reached 16ft in the coastal areas of the disputed Kuril Islands shortly after the earthquake.
- Some time later, smaller waves began to reach Hawaii, California and Japan.
- Hawaii has since removed evacuation orders as the state and Japan downgraded warnings to advisories.
Mapped: Regions facing worst tsunami threat after massive earthquake off Russia
11:27
,
Athena Stavrou
First tsunami wave is not usually the worst, warns expert
11:17
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Bryony Gooch reports:
Professor Ilan Kelman from UCL's department of Risk and Disaster Reduction has warned that the first tsunami wave is not usually the worst.
"We've had situations where it's like, oh yeah, there's a tsunami warning, a tsunami comes in and people say, 'Oh, that wasn't too bad. Let me go back down to the sea', but then the second and the third waves are usually the worst.
"In the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the second and third waves were by far the most destructive and caused most deaths, and some people were caught out by saying, 'oh, that was a tsunami? that was nothing', and then the other waves come in and cause the problems."
3.6ft waves recorded in California
10:47
,
Athena Stavrou
Some more waves have been recorded in California as tsunami warnings remains in place on the US west coast.
A wave of 3.6ft was observed at Crescent City, according to the US National Weather Service.
Pictured: Waves hit Shiogama in Japan
10:45
,
Athena Stavrou
Evacuation orders lifted in Hawaii
10:24
,
Athena Stavrou
The worst of the tsunami threat appears to be over in Hawaii, as evacuation orders are lifted in the region.
The warning has been downgraded to an advisory, meaning dangerous waves are no longer expected to impact the state.
The state’s emergency management agency said: “Dangerous conditions are still possible in near-shore waters within the Hawaiian Islands. Use extreme caution when near or on the water.
“Residents and visitors who evacuated may return home at this time. Please use caution and patience as traffic will likely remain heavy.”
Pictured: Tourists look out from balconies in Hawaii
10:04
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami wave reaches US west coast
09:31
,
Athena Stavrou
The first tsunami waves have reached the west coast of the US.
The US National Weather Service has recorded a number of waves in the Arena Cove and Monterey area in California.
People in Hawaii prepare to evacuate
09:21
,
Athena Stavrou
Briton Rich Hill, 49, from Derbyshire who lives on Maui with his Hawaiian wife and children, was among those who had packed up, ready to evacuate.
He said: "We live in Kihei, South Maui, about ¾ of a mile from the shore. The first reports were really worrying, especially when the size of the earthquake was reported. Our family was scattered across the island so we all got home as quickly as we could. We packed overnight bags but decided to stay home because we were just outside the evacuation zone.
“The tsunami is passing across the islands right now. I think – hope – the worst is passed but we have a long night ahead. The sirens and the information systems put in place since the Lahaina fire 2 years ago were excellent today. Everyone has had good time to get to higher ground or to the shelters that have been set up.
"We are hoping that everyone stays safe as the smaller waves come in, and also that people stay out of the water because the currents are so strong. Fortunately the schools are still out for summer, and we are being advised to stay home as the rest of the wave train passes us."
Watch live: Tsunami warnings issued for Taiwan after massive earthquake strikes Russia
09:02
,
Athena Stavrou
What time could waves hit the west coast?
08:48
,
Athena Stavrou
On the west coast of the US, the National Weather Service is telling people to avoid beaches, harbours and marinas.
Waves were expected to begin to arrive in California around an hour ago, reaching San Francisco Bay at around 12:40am local time and 1am in Los Angeles Harbour.
More waves up to 5.7ft recorded in Hawaii
08:37
,
Athena Stavrou
More tsunami waves have been recorded hitting Hawaii.
A 5.7ft wave was recorded on Kahului, Maui at a similar time a 4.9ft wave was recorded in Hilo, Hawaii.
A 3.9ft wave was also recorded in Hanalei, Maui.
It comes after a 4ft wave was recorded at Haleiwa, Oahu earlier this morning.
Pictured: People gather supplies in Hawaii
08:23
,
Athena Stavrou
Tsunami sirens sound in remote California city
08:07
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The small Northern California community of Crescent City turned on its tsunami sirens to warn residents about possible waves.
"You are hearing a Tsunami Siren. We are under a Tsunami Warning. Please stay away from beaches and waterways. A predicted wave may hit at 11.55pm [local time]. We are waiting on additional information about any level of evacuation," read a post from the City Hall Facebook account.
The city in rural Northern California has roughly 6,000 residents.
A tsunami in 1964 caused by an earthquake in Alaska caused a wave 21ft high to hit the city, killing 11 people and destroying its downtown.
No wave of consequence so far, says Hawaii governor
08:02
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Hawaii governor Josh Green says tsunami waves are yet to be recorded past Big Island and that there has not yet been a wave of major consequence.
All commercial harbours have been shut and all flights scheduled to depart or arrive at Maui airport have been cancelled, he said.
He added that airports have not yet been impacted by the waves.
The governor said data from Midway Atoll, which is between Japan and Hawaii, measured waves from peak to trough of 6ft.
Watch: Moment massive earthquake hits Russia caught on camera
07:59
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Powerful 5m-tsunami wave lashes Russian coast
07:47
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The height of tsunami waves in the Russian Pacific town of Severo-Kurilsk exceeded three metres, and the most powerful was as big as five metres, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported on Wednesday.
Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific coast after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake jolted Russia's far east during the early hours of Wednesday.
Breaking: Tsunami waves 'now impacting Hawaii'
07:29
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The tsunami waves have begun "impacting Hawaii", the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. "Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," it added.
The Hanalei gauge in Hawaii recorded a tsunami amplitude of 3ft relative to normal sea level, the warning centre said.
How bad is an 8.8 earthquake?
07:15
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday, making it the sixth strongest ever recorded and the biggest since the 2011 quake that hit Japan.
The US Geological survey said the earthquake was shallow, with its epicentre at a depth of about 19km (12 miles) and 119 km (74 miles) east-southeast of Russia’s remote Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city with a population of about 165,000 people.
The devastation to life and property caused by an earthquake is often dependent on a number of factors, such as the distance from the quake’s epicentre, the architecture of a region and its population density, as well as the depth of the earthquake event and its surrounding geological conditions, as well as after effects like tsunamis.
More here.
Tsunami advisory issued for British Columbia coast
07:12
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A tsunami advisory has been issued for most of the British Columbia coast after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.
The US National Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami advisory for north and central coasts of British Columbia, including Kitimat and Bella Coola, Haida Gwaii and the west and northeast coasts of Vancouver Island.
"Significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory, but coastal zones may be at risk due to strong current," Canadian authorities said in an advisory.
"Strong and potentially dangerous waves and currents are possible. Waves may continue for several hours," the advisory read.
For Tsunami Notification Zones A, B, C, & D currently under Tsunami Advisory:
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) July 30, 2025
• Stay out of the water. DO NOT go to the shore to observe currents or waves
• Avoid low-lying coastal areas, harbors, marinas & beaches until emergency officials say it is safe
• Monitor for… https://t.co/rMo16swgLj pic.twitter.com/9siotR5snt
Hawaii governor says waves recorded at 6ft
07:02
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Hawaii governor Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is part of the way between Japan and Hawaii, measured tsunami waves at 6ft.
He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be.
"It can dislodge trees, that's why you can't just be out there. The impact is at great speed," Mr Green said.
"Any structure that gets loose and strikes the individual could take them out. And people can drown quite easily with the force of that kind of wave."
Rick Blangiardi, the mayor of Honolulu, urged residents to move to higher ground.
“We need people to stay calm but also to act accordingly. If you can get to higher ground if you’re in a low-lying area, please do that,” he told KITV.
Power grid damaged in Russia's Sakhalin
06:43
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A power grid has been damaged in Sakhalin as a result of the earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula, and electricity has been shut off, according to preliminary information, Russia's RIA news agency cited the regional governor as saying on Wednesday.
In pic: Tsunami hits Russia's Kuril islands
06:41
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Which are the countries affected by Russia’s massive earthquake?
06:40
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The United States, Japan, Hawaii, and several other Pacific islands were placed under tsunami warnings following the quake, which hit near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Far East.
This is the strongest earthquake recorded since 2011 and ties at the six
