July 30, 2025 — A major 8.7 magnitude earthquake has struck off the eastern coast of Russia near the Kuril Islands, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The quake occurred at a depth of approximately 35 km (21 miles), a level known to displace the seafloor significantly — a critical factor in generating tsunami waves.
📏 How Big Is a Magnitude 8.7 Earthquake?
An 8.7 magnitude earthquake is categorized as a “great” earthquake and ranks among the most powerful ever recorded. It releases energy equivalent to around 1,000 megatons of TNT — more than 30,000 times the energy of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
Comparisons with other historic earthquakes:
- 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake: 9.1–9.3 — triggered a devastating tsunami that killed 230,000+ people
- 2011 Japan (Tohoku): 9.0 — caused over 15,000 deaths and the Fukushima nuclear disaster
- 2005 Indonesia (Nias): 8.7 — produced a tsunami and killed hundreds
- 2025 Russia (Kurils): 8.7 — tsunami threat unfolding
🌐 Tsunami Wave Arrival Forecasts
Authorities have issued warnings, watches, and advisories for coastal areas across the Pacific. Below are the estimated tsunami wave arrival times:
| Region | Alert Level | Estimated Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (Hokkaido–Kyushu) | Warning / Advisory | ~10:00 – 11:30 a.m. JST (July 30) |
| Hawaii | Full Warning | ~7:17 p.m. HST (July 29) |
| Alaska (Aleutians) | Advisory |
Shemya: 4:46 p.m. AKDT Adak: 5:46 p.m. AKDT St. Paul: 7:06 p.m. AKDT |
| California (West Coast USA) | Watch |
San Francisco: ~12:40 a.m. PDT Los Angeles: ~1:05 a.m. PDT Newport Beach: ~1:10 a.m. PDT San Diego: ~1:15 a.m. PDT |
📢 Government Actions and Evacuations
- Japan: Coastal regions from Hokkaido to Wakayama urged to evacuate. Waves up to 1 meter (3 ft) expected.
- Hawaii: Full evacuation orders issued for low-lying coastal areas statewide.
- Alaska: Residents in the Aleutians and Bering Sea coast told to avoid harbors and beaches.
- California & West Coast: Tsunami watch in effect; residents urged to stay alert for upgrades.
🔎 Live Updates & Official Sources
Monitor these official channels for real-time updates:
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (tsunami.gov)
- USGS Earthquake Information
- Japan Meteorological Agency
✅ Safety Tips
- If you feel strong ground shaking and are near the coast, evacuate immediately — do not wait for an official alert.
- Move at least 1 mile inland or 100 feet above sea level.
- Stay off bridges and coastal roads — strong currents can destroy infrastructure.
- Remain alert — the first wave may not be the largest, and waves may continue for hours.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available. Stay safe and follow all local emergency instructions.
Whoahhhhh! Videos showing the shaking from the M8.7 earthquake that hit off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia 😱👀😱 pic.twitter.com/Q5dYAstWil
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 30, 2025
New video has emerged showing tsunami waves impacting the Russian coastline after a magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia.
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 30, 2025
This ranks among the 10 largest earthquakes recorded globally since 1900.
pic.twitter.com/4D6pmlBBDN
Tsunami simulator shows the potential waves that could reach the US West Coast pic.twitter.com/JNBTQDODnI
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) July 30, 2025
