Tsunami Watch for Hawaii Halted After 7.4‑Magnitude Quake Strikes Near Russia
A powerful magnitude‑7.4 undersea tremor off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula briefly triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific before authorities determined there was no serious threat.
Key Developments:
Earthquake origin: The quake struck approximately 140 km (89 mi) east of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky, Kamchatka, at a depth of around 12 mi, according to the U.S.
Follow‑up quakes: It was accompanied by several foreshocks and aftershocks above magnitude 6.0.
Initial warnings: Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations issued tsunami warnings, estimating waves up to 60 cm along its coast. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch for Hawaii at approximately 9:03 p.m. HST.
Wave forecasts: Expected wave height was no more than 60 cm near Kamchatka and under 30 cm for Hawaii—too small to pose serious danger.
Alert lifted: Roughly 40 minutes later, after marine and seismic data were assessed, both Russian and Hawaiian alerts were canceled.
Officials emphasized there was no evidence of destructive waves, and no evacuations were deemed necessary.
Background:
Kamchatka sits along a subduction zone where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates collide, making it prone to strong earthquakes. A powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake in the region back in 1952 triggered deadly tsunami waves that reached Hawaii, but the recent quake was considerably less intense.
Tsunami watch vs. Warning: A “watch” signifies potential risk and prompts vigilance, while a “warning” demands immediate evacuation due to imminent danger.
Bottom Line: Sunday’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka briefly triggered tsunami watch alerts in Hawaii and other Pacific regions, but detailed monitoring showed no significant wave activity. All alerts have now been lifted, residents can rest easy, though the event serves as a reminder of ongoing seismic risks in the region.