Quake Off Russia Triggers Pacific-Wide Tsunami Alerts

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, making it one of the region's strongest quakes since 1952 and triggering widespread tsunami warnings and evacuations across the Pacific, including the US West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Mexico. Waves of up to four meters were recorded in Kamchatka, causing significant evacuations and reports of injuries and infrastructure damage. Tsunami warnings and advisories were swiftly issued for coastal areas from California through Oregon and Washington, while Alaska, Hawaii, and northern Japan sounded sirens urging residents to seek higher ground. Japan recorded tsunami waves in Hokkaido, and both Taiwan and China issued alerts advising urgent precautions for their coastal populations. Authorities warned that dangerous currents and coastal flooding could impact regions for hours, and aftershocks up to magnitude 7.5 were expected in Russia. Emergency responses were coordinated across affected countries, with officials emphasizing the need to avoid beaches and low-lying areas until the tsunami threat subsides.