Tsunami waves hit Hawaii, US West Coast after massive 8.8 quake strikes off Russia
In Hawaii, Haleiwa measured a tsunami at a 4-foot wave amplitude, with a 3-foot wave amplitude at Hanalei. A 5.7-foot wave amplitude was reported in Kahului, and a 4.9-foot wave amplitude was reported in Hilo.
Tsunami arrives along West Coast after impacting Hawaii in wake of powerful earthquake off Russia
Tsunami waves have impacted the U.S. West Coast after first affecting Hawaii in the wake of a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia. FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera has the latest information on July 30, 2025.
HONOLULU – A tsunami triggered by a historic underwater earthquake off the eastern coast of Russia has impacted Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast, including Washington, Oregon and California, as thousands of people flee to higher ground for safety.
In Hawaii, Haleiwa measured a tsunami at a 4-foot wave amplitude, with a 3.9-foot wave amplitude at Hanalei. A 5.7-foot wave amplitude was reported in Kahului, and a 4.9-foot wave amplitude was reported in Hilo.
This graphic shows tsunami alerts across the Pacific Ocean.
(FOX Weather)
The entire state of Hawaii had been under a Tsunami Warning for several hours after the powerful earthquake struck thousands of miles away, but those alerts have since been downgraded.
"The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has downgraded the forecast from a Tsunami Warning to a Tsunami Advisory," Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan said. "The PTWC continues to monitor for more data to update its forecast and for an all-clear that it may issue later on."
![HONOLULU, HAWAII - JULY 29: A freeway sign showing the 'Tsunami Warning' on the H-1 freeway on July 29, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Parts of the US west coast and Japan are being evacuated after a Tsunami warning following one of the strongest earthquakes in modern history hit Russia's eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 10HONOLULU, HAWAII - JULY 29: A freeway sign showing the 'Tsunami Warning' on the H-1 freeway on July 29, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Parts of the US west coast and Japan are being evacuated after a Tsunami warning following one of the strongest earthquakes in modern history hit Russia's eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) ( )
![A LA County Lifeguard truck patrols Venice beach pier amid a tsunami warning in Los Angeles, California on July 30, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 10A LA County Lifeguard truck patrols Venice beach pier amid a tsunami warning in Los Angeles, California on July 30, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A police officer drives at Santa Monica Pier while warning the public about the regular closure time of the pier amid a tsunami warning in Santa Monica, California, on July 29, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 10A police officer drives at Santa Monica Pier while warning the public about the regular closure time of the pier amid a tsunami warning in Santa Monica, California, on July 29, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A police officer drives at Santa Monica Pier while warning the public about the regular closure time of the pier amid a tsunami warning in Santa Monica, California, on July 29, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 10A police officer drives at Santa Monica Pier while warning the public about the regular closure time of the pier amid a tsunami warning in Santa Monica, California, on July 29, 2025. Tsunamis hit parts of Russia's Far East and Japan on July 30 after a huge magnitude 8.8 earthquake, with warnings in place around the Pacific of waves of over three metres (10 feet) in places. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Visitors look on from their Waikiki hotel balcony waiting for the arrival of a tsunami at the Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 10Visitors look on from their Waikiki hotel balcony waiting for the arrival of a tsunami at the Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![US-RUSSIA-JAPAN-EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI]()
Image 6 of 10Residents and visitors found themselves backed up in traffic as they try to leave the the Ala Way Harbor, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![US-RUSSIA-JAPAN-EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI]()
Image 7 of 10Vehicles depart Waikiki beach in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![US-RUSSIA-JAPAN-EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI]()
Image 8 of 10Vehicles depart Waikiki beach in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![]()
Image 9 of 10A man checks his mobile phone in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![]()
Image 10 of 10Vehicles depart Waikiki beach in Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia's far east prompted tsunami alerts. A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Russia and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said late on July 29. The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three metres (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
The danger is not over, however, and officials have urged people to stay aware of the conditions along the coast.
"A Tsunami Advisory means that the potential for strong currents or dangerous waves are expected or occurring for those in or near the water," Logan continued. "There may be flooding of beach or harbor areas. Those who have evacuated may safely return home based on county assessment and directives."
The tsunami took about six hours to complete the more than 3,500-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean from the magnitude 8.8 earthquake’s epicenter just a few miles offshore of Petropavlovsk, Russia.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP
This graphic shows tsunami alerts in effect for the U.S. West Coast.
(FOX Weather)
Impacts from the tsunami have spread far beyond Hawaii, as the massive rupture under the Pacific triggered tsunami alerts across a wide swath of the ocean’s basin.
In fact, officials across four continents – North America, South America, Asia and Australia – have all warned their residents to be aware of possible flooding from tsunami waves as they arrive at the coast.
Tsunami Advisories remain in effect for Hawaii, parts of Alaska and the U.S. West Coast.
A Tsunami Warning remains in effect for portions of the Northern California coastline.
Tsunami arrives in California, Washington, Oregon
This animated graphic shows tsunami wave heights along the West Coast.
The tsunami waves continued across the Pacific after impacting Hawaii and began to slam the coasts of Washington, California and Oregon early Wednesday morning.
In California, a tsunami with a 3.6-foot wave amplitude was reported in Crescent City, with a 3-foot wave amplitude in Arena Cove.
Watch: Time-lapse video shows tsunami impacting California coast
A time-lapse video recorded on Wednesday morning shows tsunami waves impacting Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, California.
A 1.6-foot wave amplitude was reported in Point Reyes, and a 1.4-foot wave amplitude was reported in Monterey.
La Push, Washington, and Charleston, Oregon, both reported a tsunami wave that was less than a foot.
Tsunami sirens scream across Hawaii as residents scramble for safety
Ahead of the potentially destructive tsunami waves, sirens across the Hawaiian Islands wailed at regular intervals, warning people of the danger as the wall of water rushed toward the Aloha State.
One final wail of the sirens was scheduled to go off about 30 minutes before the arrival of the first wave.
Ahead of that, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green urged people to evacuate coastal zones and to expect flooding on all islands.
"We do expect damage," he said. "If you stay on the beaches, you could risk death."
He warned people inside evacuation zones to go up four stories if in a building, and if that wasn’t possible, to evacuate.
"It is, again, not just a 3-foot wave," Green continued. "It is a forceful wall of water."
Locals in Maui, Hawaii, line up for food and supplies as the state issues tsunami warnings
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Russia has caused tsunami warnings throughout Hawaii.
Highways across Hawaii became jammed with people trying to get to higher ground. On Kauai, officials urged people to avoid Hanalei to allow people to evacuate. On Maui, officials were staging vehicles and equipment across state highways.
Hilo's airport operations were suspended to facilitate evacuations from Keaukaha, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT).
Watch: Animation shows boats flee Honolulu Harbor amid Tsunami Warning
An animation provided by MarineTraffic, a ship tracking and maritime analytics provider, showed dozens of boats leaving Honolulu Harbor after a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia led to a Pacific-wide tsunami that impacted Hawaii.
The Coast Guard ordered all commercial vessels to leave all commercial ports and head out to sea. All harbors were closed to incoming traffic.
Some flights inbound to Hawaii were diverted back to Los Angeles due to the tsunami threat, per the FOX Forecast Center's analysis of FlightAware data. Meanwhile, about 200 travelers were sheltering at Kahului Airport after all flights were canceled, the HDOT said.
Cars preparing to evacuate to higher ground ahead of a tsunami in Hawaii.
(Go Akami/HDOT / FOX Weather)
"The roads are really crowded," said Jenny Welch, who was visiting Wailea, Hawaii, from California with her family. "There's one road out of that area. And so we were headed back to our hotel and actually decided to turn around and head back out of the area ... traffic's really bad."
They had no idea what was happening until their friends in California texted and asked if they were OK.
"And at that point, we had not heard anything about it," Welch said. "And then about five minutes after that, our phone, the phone alarm started going off, and then the sirens started going off once we were in closer to Wailea. So yeah, it was a surprise for sure."
Tsunami waves reported in Japan, Russia
The danger extended to Japan and Russia, where Tsunami Warnings were also in effect.
Strong waves smash Japan's Pacific Coast during a Tsunami warning
A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of Japan following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Russia. Video captured on Tuesday shows the strong waves battering Japan's Pacific Coast.
According to reports, more than 2 million people in 229 municipalities were told to evacuate from along Japan’s coast when the Tsunami Warning was in effect.
Officials urged people to stay away from the coast and move to higher ground.
Videos recorded in Japan showed waves crashing onshore when the tsunami arrived.
Japan's Meteorological Agency reports that large swaths of the eastern shores observed tsunamis of 0.3-0.4 meters (1-1.3 feet), with forecasts of tsunamis in some areas as high as 3 meters (9 feet).
Drone video shows aftermath of Tsunami on Russian coastal town
Drone footage the from Kamchatka branch of the Federal Research Center of Geophysical Surveys of the Russian Academy of Sciences shows the damage caused by tsunami waves on the town of Severo-Kurils, in Russia’s far-eastern Kuril Islands. The waves were caused by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake, the sixth strongest quake in recorded history.
And drone video recorded in Russia showed the aftermath of the tsunami once the water began to recede.
According to reports, the mayor of Sevro-Kurils said the third tsunami wave was responsible for causing the most damage, hitting port infrastructure and ships in the harbor.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake would tie for the sixth-strongest quake on record.
This graphic shows the top 10 earthquakes on record by magnitude.
(FOX Weather)
This is a breaking news situation. Check back often for updates.