Japan Tsunami

 A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Far East on Wednesday morning, unleashing a tsunami that reverberated across the northern Pacific region. The tremor, among the strongest recorded globally in over a decade, triggered emergency warnings as far as Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

The quake’s epicentre was located approximately 119 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a shallow depth of 20.7 kilometres, amplifying its destructive potential. A series of aftershocks followed, with some measuring as high as 6.9 on the Richter scale.

Russia reported damage to buildings and widespread disruptions to power and mobile services in the affected areas. In Severo-Kurilsk, a town on the Kuril Islands, local authorities said the initial tsunami wave had reached the coast. Governor Valery Limarenko confirmed that residents had been evacuated to higher ground, and no serious injuries were reported.

In Japan, the Meteorological Agency recorded tsunami waves of up to 40 centimetres in Tokachi, located on the southern coast of Hokkaido. While minor, the waves prompted widespread transport disruptions. Ferry operations between Hokkaido and Aomori, as well as local train services, were temporarily suspended. Sendai Airport also closed its runway as a precaution.

Japanese nuclear facilities, including the vulnerable Fukushima Daiichi plant, reported no abnormalities. However, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings stated that approximately 4,000 workers at the Fukushima site had been moved to higher ground as a safety measure.

Meanwhile, tsunami warning sirens sounded across Honolulu late Tuesday, urging residents to seek shelter. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned that “urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property” on all Hawaiian islands, where waves were expected around 7 p.m. local time.

On the U.S. mainland, tsunami advisories were issued for parts of the West Coast, including Oregon, Washington, California, and Canada’s British Columbia. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management forecasts waves between 1 and 2 feet, cautioning the public to stay clear of beaches, harbours, and marinas. “This is not a major tsunami, but dangerous currents and strong waves may pose a risk to those near the water,” it said in a statement.

This quake is the most powerful globally since Japan’s catastrophic 9.0-magnitude earthquake in March 2011, which triggered a deadly tsunami and nuclear crisis. Though less severe, Wednesday’s event has renewed concerns over preparedness and early warning systems across the Pacific Rim.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that aftershocks and additional tsunami waves remain a possibility.