1 / 10Massive Quake Hits: A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday. The US Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at a depth of 21 kilometres. The epicentre was about 119 kilometres from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 180,000 people. It triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Japan, the US, Canada, and islands as far as New Zealand. (AFP photo)
2 / 10Tsunami Waves Spread: Waves generated by the quake reached Japan’s Hokkaido and Iwate prefectures, with a 60 cm wave recorded at Hamanaka and Kuji ports. Tokyo Bay later recorded a 20 cm wave. Waves also reached Alaska’s Amchitka and Adak islands at less than a foot. Officials warned that tsunami impacts could persist for more than a day due to ongoing wave motion. (AP photo)
3 / 10Russia Reports Damage: In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, buildings shook and power outages were reported. Cars swayed and several residents sought medical attention, though no serious injuries were confirmed. In Severo-Kurilsk, a wave flooded a port. Local authorities evacuated residents to high ground and warned of aftershocks. Internet and phone services were temporarily disrupted but later restored, with damage to some buildings, including a kindergarten. (AP photo)
4 / 10Widespread Pacific Alerts: Tsunami warnings were issued from Alaska and Hawaii to Central America and the South Pacific. Tsunami sirens sounded in Crescent City, California. Small waves were expected in Oregon, British Columbia, and Mexico. Forecasts predicted waves of 30 to 100 centimetres in several Pacific coastlines, prompting advisories and evacuation recommendations across dozens of coastal regions. (AP photo)
5 / 10Japan Takes Caution: Japan’s Meteorological Agency detected waves at over a dozen locations along the Pacific coast, including a 50 cm wave at Ishinomaki port. Ferries were suspended between Hokkaido, Honshu, and nearby islands. Sendai airport is temporarily closed. Over 900,000 residents received evacuation advisories. Authorities warned that second or third waves could be stronger and urged residents to remain alert. (AP photo)
6 / 10Hawaii Prepares Response: In Hawaii, tsunami waves were expected around 7 p.m. local time. Governor Josh Green reported 6-foot waves at Midway Atoll. Emergency services deployed helicopters and high-water vehicles. Bus routes were halted, and shelters opened. Green said waves could affect all islands and urged residents in coastal zones to evacuate promptly and avoid dangerous currents and flooding. (AP photo)
7 / 10North America Monitors: The US West Coast, from British Columbia to California, remained under tsunami advisories. Oregon expected 1 to 2-foot waves around 11:40 p.m. Mexico’s navy warned of waves up to 100 cm from Ensenada to Chiapas. In Crescent City, sirens activated amid memories of a deadly 1964 tsunami. California’s governor urged residents to stay alert and follow instructions. (AP photo)
8 / 10Asia-Pacific Impact: China warned coastal regions of Shanghai and Zhejiang about possible waves up to 1 meter. Indonesia issued a tsunami watch for eastern provinces. The Philippines expected sub-meter waves and advised people to avoid beaches between 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. New Zealand warned of “strong and unusual currents” and told residents to leave beaches and avoid marinas and rivers. (AFP photo)
9 / 10Nuclear Plants Halted: Japanese nuclear facilities temporarily halted operations. At Fukushima Daiichi, about 4,000 workers evacuated to higher ground. Tokyo Electric suspended the release of treated wastewater. No abnormalities were reported. Officials cited lessons from the 2011 tsunami and urged the public not to underestimate small waves, as damage can occur from fast-moving or successive surges. (AP photo)
10 / 10Strongest Since 2011: The earthquake was the strongest globally since Japan’s 9.0-magnitude quake in 2011. Russian scientists called it a “unique event” and warned of aftershocks for up to a month. It was the most powerful quake in Kamchatka since 1952. Experts explained that tsunamis move at jet speeds and pile up near coastlines, increasing the potential for serious inland flooding. (Reuters photo)
