Massive Earthquake Strikes Kamchatka

A powerful “magnitude 8.8 earthquake” hit off Kamchatka on July 30, 2025, making it one of the strongest quakes ever recorded.

The epicenter was about 120–130 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of around 20 km.

It occurred along the highly active Kuril–Kamchatka arc.

Historic Scale

This is the region’s strongest quake since “1952, when a magnitude ~9.0 event” caused deadly tsunamis.

Globally, it ranks among the top ten most powerful earthquakes.

Local Damage & Evacuations

Tsunami waves up to “4 m” hit parts of the Kuril Islands, flooding Severo-Kurilsk and forcing thousands to evacuate.

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, “houses shook”, items fell, and power and mobile outages occurred, though only minor injuries were reported.

Widespread Tsunami Alerts

Japan evacuated up to “1.9 million people” as 30–50 cm waves reached Hokkaido.

Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast issued warnings after waves of about “4 ft” hit Oʻahu and Maui. Aftershocks up to magnitude 7.5 are expected in the coming weeks.