Pacific Tsunami Hits US West Coast, Latin America Alert

A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami warnings and waves across the Pacific, impacting the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, Japan, and parts of Latin America. Crescent City, California, known for its tsunami history, experienced waves up to 1.22 meters but suffered minimal damage and no injuries, with swift reopening of its downtown and warnings to avoid coastal areas. The tsunami advisory was lifted for much of the California coast south of Humboldt/Del Norte counties, while alerts remain in effect further north, including Oregon and Alaska. Central and South American countries also issued warnings, with Costa Rica expecting strong currents and possible flooding in estuaries and rivers. Despite the widespread alerts and some damage to infrastructure such as a dock in Crescent City, officials across affected regions anticipate minimal impact and continue urging caution due to the potential for multiple waves. Emergency responders emphasize that the first wave may not be the largest, and coastal residents should remain vigilant.