- Tsunami alerts have been lifted in several parts of the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia
- A tsunami warning was also issued for Japan and Guam, while coastal areas of Hawaii were evacuated
- The earthquake that struck near Russia is reportedly likely among the top six strongest earthquakes ever recorded
A tsunami alert was issued for the U.S. West Coast, Japan, Hawaii and portions of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia on Tuesday, July 29.
The earthquake was recorded at 7:24 p.m. E.T., about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in its updated assessment, USA Today reported. The agency said the earthquake was shallow, at a depth of about 11 miles.
It’s likely among the top six strongest earthquakes ever recorded, according to The Washington Post.
At least six earthquakes subsequently occurred near Kamchatka today, the USGS said. Their initial readings had magnitudes of 6.9, 6.3, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.6.
The first waves have hit Hokkaido in northern Japan, according to local outlet NHK, The Guardian reported. The waves measured nearly 30 cm (approximately 11 inches), and swept some structures from their foundations as the waves moved inland.
Japan’s Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, Ishinomaki and Miyagi Prefecture were evacuated using the same higher ground that survivors fled to when the 2011 tsunami struck the country.
Tsunami alerts issued for Alaska, West Coast after magnitude 8.7 earthquake off Russia. NOAA
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded the tsunami warning for the entire state of Hawaii to a tsunami advisory as of 10:38 p.m. local time on Tuesday, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
Evacuation orders were canceled in many places, including Oahu, where residents were told they could return to their homes, according to Oahu Emergency Management.
The National Tsunami Warning Center advises that tsunami activity is possible at Shemya, Alaska beginning at 4:46 p.m. ADT. They also warned about activity at 5:46 p.m. in Adak and 7:06 p.m. in Saint Paul, which is about 760 miles west of Anchorage.
The warning is also extended to British Columbia, Canada, on the west coast.
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Tsunami Advisories have since been lifted in portions of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands and from Chignik Bay to Samalga Pass, according to NWS Anchorage.
They were also lifted for Ventura and Los Angeles Counties as of 6:50 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 30, according to NWS Los Angeles.
New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also warned the nation of the tsunami in a statement. Most of the country’s coastline was under threat, NEMA said, though no evacuations were ordered at the time. No changes in the orders have been reported.
Guam was placed under tsunami warning, which has been canceled as well, according to NWS Guam.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
