8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Kamchatka, Triggers Pacific Tsunami Alerts

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. Despite the quake's immense power, no fatalities were reported, with only minor injuries and structural damage, credited to effective early warning systems and emergency protocols. Tsunami waves reached heights up to 15 meters in Kamchatka, flooding coastal towns like Severo-Kurilsk and prompting mass evacuations of millions, especially in Japan and Hawaii. The quake is one of the strongest recorded globally in recent years, comparable to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan. Authorities in affected regions downgraded tsunami warnings as the immediate threat diminished, though advisory alerts remained due to potential strong currents and dangerous waves. The event caused widespread alarm, traffic congestion during evacuations, and highlighted the ongoing seismic volatility of the Pacific Ring of Fire.