Tsunami waves up to 1.7 m (5.7 feet) recorded in Hawaii after M8.8 Kamchatka earthquake on July 29, no major damage reported

A major M8.8 earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at 23:25 UTC on July 29, 2025 (11:25 LT, July 30), prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific region. Despite the scale of the event, no major damage or casualties were reported.

In Hawaii, the first tsunami waves arrived at 19:17 local time (LT) on July 29, approximately 5 hours and 52 minutes after the earthquake, and continued for several hours.

Observed wave heights in Hawaii included 1.7 m (5.7 feet) at Kahului on Maui, the highest in the state, 1.5 m (4.9 feet) at Hilo on Hawaii Island, and 1.2 m (4 feet) at Haleiwa on Oahu.

Noticeable sea level withdrawal was recorded at multiple locations, including Hanalei Bay and Haleiwa, shortly before the arrival of the first waves.

Statewide tsunami sirens were activated shortly after the PTWC warning. Honolulu and other coastal areas implemented evacuation orders, with residents and visitors moving inland to designated safe zones. Shelters were opened across all islands.

Ports and harbors were closed and maritime operations halted. Commercial flights were temporarily suspended at Hilo and Kahului airports, while Honolulu International resumed operations later in the night.

Ground transport on some islands experienced heavy congestion as coastal residents relocated. Governor Josh Green urged residents to remain at least 120 m (400 feet) inland until the all‑clear was issued.

Minor flooding was reported in some harbor facilities and low‑lying coastal parking areas, but authorities have confirmed no major structural damage or casualties.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency described the event as producing “no wave of consequence” relative to worst‑case scenarios, though it stressed the importance of maintaining tsunami readiness.

The tsunami warning for Hawaii was downgraded to an advisory late on July 29 and later lifted as sea conditions began returning to normal. PTWC continues to monitor the Pacific basin for further activity.

The earthquake also triggered tsunami alerts and advisories in Alaska, the U.S. West Coast, Japan, and other Pacific nations.

In California, wave heights measured 1.2 m (4 feet) at Crescent City and 0.9 m (3.0 feet) at Arena Cove. Port Orford in Oregon recorded 0.4 m (1.3 feet). In Alaska, Adak registered waves of 0.8 m (2.7 feet), while lower amplitudes were observed at Nikolski, Unalaska, and King Cove.

In Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported wave heights of up to 0.35 m (1.1 feet) in Kushiro and Hanasaki, prompting coastal warnings and brief port closures in Hokkaido.

In Russia’s Kamchatka region, tsunami waves reached heights of 3–5 m (10–16 feet), with the highest surges observed in Severo‑Kurilsk, a settlement on the northern Kuril Islands. The waves flooded port areas, displaced fishing vessels, and damaged coastal infrastructure. A kindergarten sustained structural damage, and local emergency officials confirmed flooding across multiple harbor facilities.

Hospitals in Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky reported maintaining operations during the earthquake, including during ongoing surgical procedures. Several individuals sought medical attention, but no fatalities were reported.

Local authorities said early warnings and prompt evacuations helped minimize injuries and prevent loss of life.

The earthquake was the strongest in the region since the M9.0 Kamchatka event of 1952, which produced tsunami waves over 18 m (59 feet) and resulted in more than 2 300 deaths. By comparison, the 2025 event caused only minor injuries and localized damage despite producing significant wave activity.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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