Hawaii Braces for Waves Triggered by 8.8 Kamchatka Earthquake

Hawaii Braces for Waves Triggered by 8.8 Kamchatka Earthquake

  • A colossal 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has unleashed tsunami waves that are now impacting Hawaii, with widespread alerts spanning multiple nations
  • Millions have been ordered to evacuate in regions including Japan, the US west coast, and Pacific islands, as authorities brace for potential devastation
  • From nuclear safety concerns in Fukushima to gridlock on Hawaii’s coastal roads, communities are scrambling to respond as officials urge calm and preparedness

Tsunami waves have begun striking Hawaii following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the strongest seismic events in modern history.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that waves were “now impacting Hawaii,” urging urgent action to safeguard life and property.

Tsunami waves reach Hawaii following powerful 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering widespread evacuation alerts.
Residents in Japan and Hawaii brace for impact as tsunami warnings prompt emergency evacuations and disruption across coastal areas. Photo credit: Analogu/GettyImages
Source: Getty Images

A wave measuring 4ft (1.2m) was recorded off the coast of Oahu at Haleiwa, with 12-minute intervals between swells.

Evacuations ordered across pacific

Authorities issued evacuation orders across multiple regions, including Hawaii, parts of the US west coast, and Japan. In Japan’s northern Iwate prefecture, a tsunami wave of 4.3ft (1.3m) was reported by the country’s meteorological agency, prompting evacuations for 1.9 million residents.

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Emergency tsunami alerts: Full list of countries and Islands under threat after Russia quake

The alert extended further across the Pacific and beyond, with tsunami warnings of varying intensities issued for China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador.

US President Donald Trump urged Americans to stay vigilant in light of the warnings, while Hawaii Governor Josh Green asked residents to comply calmly with evacuation directives. He noted that “so far we have not seen a wave of consequence,” but observed significant water recession, suggesting ongoing wave activity was expected over the coming hours.

Maui residents prepare for long night

In the coastal town of Kihei, Maui, longtime resident David Dorn took extra precautions as tsunami sirens continued to sound. Dorn, who has lived one block from the ocean for three decades, told the BBC he and his wife were treating this warning with heightened seriousness.

“We try and take them all seriously, but most people kind of take them a bit lightly,” he said. Packing up two cats into their van, the couple planned to spend the night inland, at a shopping centre on higher ground. Dorn had already moved electronics into the loft in hopes of protecting them should floodwaters reach their home.

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Traffic remained a key concern. “Traffic’s always a problem and it’s getting worse. And it’s at its worst in any emergency like this,” Dorn added.

Fukushima Nuclear plant workers evacuated

Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) confirmed the evacuation of all personnel from the Fukushima nuclear facility, where fears linger due to its history with the 2011 triple disaster. Although no irregularities were detected, the site remains vulnerable, with nuclear debris actively cooled by large volumes of water stored in tanks adjacent to the reactors.

Japanese authorities activated evacuation plans for residents within 20 kilometres of the site and advised those between 20 and 30 kilometres away to shelter in place. Significant travel disruptions were reported, with gridlock and partial rail closures affecting movement across coastal regions.

While Hawaii has yet to experience waves of major consequence, officials remain cautious, citing hours of potential danger ahead.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center continues to monitor developments, stressing the importance of immediate protective measures as wave patterns unfold across the region.

Read also

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Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuated amid tsunami alert, reigniting safety concerns linked to Japan’s 2011 disaster.
Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuated amid tsunami alert, reigniting safety concerns linked to Japan’s 2011 disaster. Photo credit: Analogu/GettyImages
Source: Facebook

Powerful earthquake struck city

Legit.ng earlier reported that in the remote and formidable terrain of Tibet, a powerful earthquake has struck with catastrophic force, leaving a trail of destruction and despair.

The quake, recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 by the United States Geological Survey, hit the region at 9:05 am local time.

The tremors, deep and unyielding, reverberated through the mountains and valleys, claiming the lives of at least 95 individuals and injuring 130 more.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.

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