A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered 4-metre (13-foot) tsunami waves and sparked evacuation orders across the Pacific on Wednesday.
The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan's eastern seaboard - devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - was ordered to evacuate.
Watch the live stream of the tsunami here:
Tsunami alarms sounded in coastal towns across Japan's Pacific coast and evacuation orders were issued for tens of thousands of people.
Workers evacuated the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, where a meltdown following the 2011 tsunami caused a radioactive disaster, operator TEPCO said.
In Hawaii, coastal residents were told to get to high ground or the fourth floor or above of buildings, and the U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours as the tsunami approached.
Scroll down for the latest updates from our live blog.
Have you been affected by the tsunami warnings?
08:30 , Megan HoweIf you have been affected by the tsunami warnings, get in touch by emailing megan.howe@standard.co.uk.
Team of medics stay composed during surgery as earthquake hits
15:12 , Megan HoweA team of medics was in the middle of surgery in the Far Eastern Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky when the earthquake shook their equipment and the floor beneath them.
The medics used their hands to try to steady both the patient and their equipment, CCTV footage released by the Kamchatka region's Health Ministry showed.
"Despite the danger, the doctors remained calm and stayed with the patient until the very end," Oleg Melnikov, the minister, wrote on Telegram.
He gave no details of the surgery but added that the patient was currently out of danger.
Watch: Doctors in Kamchatka, Russia kept calm during the powerful quake and never stopped the surgery #Japan #Hawaii #Russia#Tsunami #earthquakes #tsunamihawaii #tsunamijapan pic.twitter.com/iKgfkVdGXu
— JUST IN | World (@justinbroadcast) July 30, 2025
US state 'continues to see tsunami waves'
15:10 , Megan HoweThe state of Washington “continues to see tsunami waves” officials have said.
Many of the countries affected by the aftermath of the earthquake have started to unwind their earthquake alerts, but it still poses a threat to some people.
Coastal areas west of Seattle are still seeing severe waves. People have been asked not to travel to the shores to watch the waves and to instead “keep away”.
Suffolk couple waiting for waves to pass in French Polynesia
14:57 , Megan HoweA couple travelling from Lowestoft in Suffolk to New Zealand are currently caught up in French Polynesia, waiting for the waves to pass.
Mike Beech told The Standard: “My wife Helen and I are on a small yacht at anchor at Raiatea French Polynesia awaiting the waves.
“I think the predictions say it should reach us at about 1am are time.
“We are hoping the reef will protect us when it comes the predictions are 3m to 1m here.
“But it ishard to find information about it. Just to make matters worse we have high wind and lighting forecast at the same time.”
Podcast: Is Russia's monster earthquake 'far from over'?
14:46 , Megan HoweA powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered 4-metre tsunami waves and sparked evacuation orders across the Pacific.
This is one of the top 10 earthquakes ever recorded.
To find out the latest, we’re joined by Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health at University College London.
South California coast no longer under tsunami warning
14:14 , Megan HoweA tsunami advisory that was in place for the southern California coast, from the Californian-Mexico border to Rincon Point, has been cancelled, the National Tsunami Warning Center says.
A warning remains along the north coast of the state, from Rincon Point to Humboldt.
Footage shows offices rattling in Russia after massive earthquake
13:58 , Megan HoweThe 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Russia, triggering waves across the Pacific.
Earthquake magnitude 8.8 in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia pic.twitter.com/ffpR7KDdpf
— Kirill Bakanov (@WeatherSarov1) July 30, 2025
Japan downgrades tsunami alert threat level
11:41 , Megan HoweThe tsunami warning in Japan has been downgraded to “advisory”, the country’s Meteorological Agency has said.
Officials say there remains a risk of damage and people should continue to evacuate to safe spaces such as higher ground.
Authorities suggest high tsunami conditions will persist for at least a day.
Tsunami alerts cancelled in the Philippines
11:17 , Megan HoweThe Philippines has cancelled its tsunami advisories in place across several coastal communities.
Waves near California-Oregon border recorded above 1m
10:55 , Megan HoweWaves have reached the US west coast, where waves in Crescent City have been recorded now at 3.6ft (1.09metres), according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
A warning remains in place for Cape Mendocino to the border with Oregon.
Waves have nearly doubled in height in Arena Cove from 1.6ft (0.48metres) to 3ft (0.9metres).
Footage shows people filling rooftops in Japan
10:30 , Megan HowePeople have been seen taking refuge on rooftops in Japan amid tsunami alerts.
Allah saved everyone 🙏
— Irum Chauhdry (@Irumwarraichh) July 30, 2025
Rooftops fill in Japan as tsunami alerts spread .#Tsunami pic.twitter.com/eWwwPiffkN
Pictured: Russia's nursery damaged in the earthquake
10:20 , Megan Howe
First waves hitting California shores
10:17 , Megan HoweThe first measurements from the National Tsunami Warning Center show a wave of 1.6ft (0.48m) has hit the Arena Cove.
In Monterey, a height of 1.4ft (0.42m) was recorded.
Los Angeles weather service has said there’s a “rapid and damaging surge, going from low tide to high tide in just a few minutes”.
Waves have also arrived in San Francisco.
People are being asked to avoid the area.
Western US states on alert
10:10 , Megan HoweWestern US states, including Washington, Oregon and Alaska, as well as Canada’s British Columbia are on alert with waves expected to hit in the coming hours.
Warnings are also in place for Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, Colombia and Japan.
Tsunami warning for Marquesas Islands
10:08 , Megan HoweLocal authorities in French Polynesia have issued a tsunami warning for the Marquesas Islands archipelago, with waves of 1.10 to 2.20 metres expected to hit the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, and Hiva Oa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
The warnings follow a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
Residents were urged to move to higher ground and follow official instructions, including securing boats or moving them away from the shore.
Other archipelagos in French Polynesia may be affected by waves less than 30cm high, which do not require evacuation or sheltering, local authorities said.
French Polynesia covers 4,200 sq km of the Pacific Ocean, roughly the area of continental Europe. It consists of 118 islands, grouped into five archipelagos.
Evacuation order lifted for Hawaii
09:59 , Megan HoweThe tsunami warning covering Hawaii has been downgraded to an advisory level, meaning people can now return home.
There is still potential for strong waves, flooding and strong currents but a major tsunami is not expected to hit.
Those evacuated may return home, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency director Stephen Logan says.
Major tsunami not expected to strike the coast of Hawaii
09:54 , Megan HoweA major tsunami is not expected to strike the coast of Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said.
Tsunami advisory in effect for Canada's British Columbia
09:53 , Megan HoweA tsunami advisory has been issued for most of the coastal areas of British Columbia.
Residents are being told to avoid the ocean, follow official instructions and wait for the all clear.
Tsunami reaches shores of California, weather service says
09:31 , Megan HoweAccording to the US National Weather Service, the tsunami has reached the shores of California.
It has been showing up in Arena Cove and Monterey in the north of the state and making its way down, the weather service says.
Damage reported in Hilo after wave hits
09:16 , Megan HoweVideo footage shows flooding taking place in Hilo, commonly called the Big Island, in Hawaii after a 4.9 ft wave hits.
Wave of 5.7ft recorded on Maui
09:02 , Megan HoweA wave reaching 5.7ft (1.74metres) has been recorded at Kahului, Maui, while one reaching 4.9ft (1.5metres) was recorded in Hailo, Hawaii.
'All the sirens started going off around us' says British tourist on Hawaii cruise
08:40 , Megan HoweBritish tourist Rachael Burrows is on a cruise ship off the coast of Hawaii.
She spoke to BBC Breakfast about being evacuated from the island due to tsunami warnings triggered by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
“We started making our way back. He (the tour guide) was going to stop at a chocolate factory and as we pulled up to that, the traffic was getting really bad.
“Everyone was beginning to evacuate and as we pulled up to the factory, the shop owner said ‘no you need to go’.”
“All the sirens had started to go off around us.”
China lifts tsunami warnings
08:32 , Megan HoweChina has lifted its tsunami alerts for Shanghai and Zhejiang.
Taiwan's alert still remains.
In photos: Honolulu looks like a ghost town as people following evacuations
08:29 , Megan Howe
Stay away from Oahu coastline, officials say
08:21 , Megan HoweOfficials have warned people to stay outside of the evacuation zone until further notice, after a wave of 4ft was recorded at Haleiwa, Oahu.
Tsunami waves are still impacting the state and the tsunami warning remains in place.
People have been told not to re-enter until officials say it is safe.
People evacuate to the rooftop in Kushimoto
08:05 , Megan HoweA photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people have evacuated to the rooftop of a building in Kushimoto, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning.
LAPD helicopter uses a loudspeaker to ask everyone to move to higher ground
07:52 , Megan HoweLA County Sheriff’s Department blasts tsunami warnings
07:49 , Megan Howe'No wave of consequence yet' says governor of Hawaii
07:45 , Megan HoweJosh Green, governor of Hawaii, says there has been no wave of consequence yet.
"So far we have not seen a wave of consequence," he said, but they have seen significant water recede.
Wave activity has not come past the island of Hawaii, he explains, and they expect it will be at least two to three more hours until they can give the "all clear".
In photos: Rescuers evacuating people in Russia's Kamchatka region
07:41 , Megan Howe
Wave of 4ft recorded on coast of Oahu
07:30 , Megan HoweThe tallest wave to have hit Hawaii so far was measures at 4ft by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at Haleiwa, Oahu.
Holidaymakers stand on balconies
07:21 , Megan HoweHolidaymakers have been pictured standing on balconies at the Alohilani Resort looking towards Waikiki Beach after authorities warned of the possibility of tsunami waves.
Guests have been told to get to higher ground.
Video shows cars shaking as earthquake hits
07:16 , Megan HoweWaves now impacting Hawaii, warning centre says
07:15 , Megan HoweTsunami waves are "now impacting Hawaii", the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says in an update.
"Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," it adds, warning that the danger may persist for hours.
Power grid damaged in Sakhalin, says Russian media
07:14 , Megan HoweA power grid has been damaged in Sakhalin as a result of the earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Electricity has also been shut off, according to preliminary information, Russia's RIA news agency cited regional governor as saying on Wednesday.
US Tsunami warning centre says waves could hit Ecuador
07:12 , Megan HoweThree-metre (10 ft) tsunami waves could hit Ecuador following the tremor, according to the US Tsunami warning centre.
Hawaii officials order 'immediate evacuation'
07:11 , Megan HoweOfficials in Hawaii have ordered an “immediate evacuation” of large parts of the island Oahu, including the state capital Honolulu.
"Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves are expected," Honolulu's Department of Emergency Management say on social media.
Japan orders evacuations
07:08 , Megan HoweJapan has urged residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately.
"Escape to a higher, safe location right away. The time of the tsunami's arrival is just an estimate. Waves could actually arrive sooner or later. Continue to evacuate as long as the warning is in place," authorities say in an alert.
Meteorologists have forecasted that tsunami waves could reach as high as 3-4m.
No injuries reported in earthquake
07:05 , Megan HoweThere were no injuries reported after the strongest earthquake "in decades" off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, but evacuation was ordered for a small town in the Sakhalin region after a tsunami warning, regional governors said.
"Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.
He said that according to preliminary information there were no injuries, but a kindergarten was damaged.
Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko said on Telegram an evacuation order was declared for the small town of Severo-Kurilsk after a tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake.
Tsunami of up to four metres prompts evacuations
07:04 , Megan HoweA powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, generating a tsunami of up to 4 metres (13 feet), prompting evacuations and damaging buildings, officials said.
"Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.
He added that according to preliminary information there were no injuries, but a kindergarten was damaged.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was shallow at a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles), and was centred about 125 km (80 miles) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 along the coast of Avacha Bay.
Images show the epicentre of the quake
06:58 , Megan HoweThis image from the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows the epicentre of the 8.7 earthquake that hit off of Russia's far east on July 30.
It is one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.
Where have tsunami alerts been issued?
06:55 , Megan HoweTsunami warnings have been issued for the following:
- Japan - Warnings have been issued for coastal regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu
- Hawaii
- All of the US West Coast
- Guam
- Parts of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
Massive earthquake of 8.7 magnitude triggers tsunami warnings
06:51 , Megan HoweA huge 8.7 magnitude earthquake has struck off Russia’s far eastern coast, triggering tsunami warnings across parts of Russia, Japan and the United States.
Follow The Standard’s live blog for the latest updates.
