Tsunami warning issued for Japan, Russia, and the US following an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude - Everything to know

A Tsunami could hit Japan, the US, and Russia. Following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, on Wednesday (July 30), Tsunami waves have been spotted in Northern Hokkaido in Japan.

According to Al Jazeera's report, in Hokkaido, the following places have observed the first waves: Tokachi Port, Erimo town, Hamanaka town, Nemuro Hanasaki, and Kushiro Port. The waves are 30cm to 40cm (1 to 1.3 ft).

According to the BBC's report, locals in Kamchatka, Russia, have observed tsunami waves measuring approximately 3-4 meters or 10-13 feet.

So far, Taiwan, Japan, Peru, Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Alaska, Ecuador, China, and Russia have issued Tsunami warnings. Hawaii is under a tsunami watch.

Japan's Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has released a statement, assuring citizens that the government would put in its "best effort" to serve the public.

Ishiba also told people in tsunami warning areas to evacuate. The majority of the country's coast is under the warning area. The staff at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Northeast Japan has evacuated the area.

"[The government] will put in our best effort in order to avoid any damage to the public," Shigeru Ishiba stated.

What did Hawaii Governor Josh Green say about the Tsunami?

Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, held an emergency press conference and advised Hawaiians to stay calm and evacuate dangerous areas. He also told them to use the official notification system, http://hnlalert.gov, for more details.

Josh Green said people should go to higher places and stay there, as coastal areas are now life-threatening.

"I ask that you stay calm. If you are in a low-lying area, please get to higher ground. You must stay off the beaches and away from harbors, rivers and low-lying areas. If you stay on beaches you could risk death If you are in a safe place, please stay there, and if you're not, please get to higher ground," Josh Green stated.

TSUNAMI WARNING IN EFFECT

I have signed an emergency proclamation, and both the State and County Emergency Operations Centers are fully activated. Please take this situation seriously. pic.twitter.com/3dwYbcGoda

— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) July 30, 2025

All commercial vessels in Hawaii have been ordered by the US Coast Guard to evacuate. DL Scales, a man vacationing in Hawaii, told a BBC reporter that the situation is "relatively calm" and only tourists are trying to leave the island. However, it is unclear where the tourists are going.

"It's relatively calm, everyone is trying to get out, I don't know where people are going. They did sound sirens a few minutes ago, which initiated people to start driving away," he said.

According to Mission City Records' report, the waves are expected to hit Hawaii around 7:10 p.m. local time (10:10 p.m. PST) and could reach 10 feet.

According to Al Jazeera's report, the eastern part of China could get hit by the waves, which would be between 30cm and 1 metre (11.8 inches and 3.2 ft).

Russia's port town, Severo-Kurilsk, has been flooded. The small town has 2,000 residents, who have been successfully evacuated.

San Francisco's Bay Area is at risk of a natural disaster. Officials have released a statement, asking people not to go near the beach to take photos. Evacuations are ongoing on the US West Coast.