Tsunami alerts have been issued for the U.S. West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii, following an earthquake off the coast of Russia.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) Tuesday night via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Tsunamis are a series of waves caused by a sudden displacement of water like an earthquake, the NWS says. “Tsunamis radiate outward in all directions from the disturbance and can move across entire ocean basins.”
The tidal waves are among the “most powerful and destructive natural forces,” the agency added.
What To Know
According to the NWS tsunami warning system, the earthquake occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, around 7:24 p.m. ET. The earthquake was upgraded to an 8.8 by the United States Geological Survey.
Following the quake, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii were all placed under tsunami watches, advisories or warnings.
The NWS said that tsunami forecasts will start in Alaska at 4:40 p.m. AKDT in Shemya, with potential maximum wave heights of 3 feet to 5.6 feet; in Washington in La Push at 11:35 p.m. PT, and that Moclips could experience maximum 0.8-foot to 1.4-foot wave heights.
Oregon’s tsunami forecast will begin in Port Orford at 11:40 p.m. PT, with maximum projected waves of 1.1 feet to 2 feet. The state’s other maximum projected wave height is 1 foot to 1.8 feet in Brookings.
The NWS says that California’s tsunami forecast begins at 11:50 p.m. PT at Fort Bragg and that Crescent City’s maximum wave height could hit 3.1 feet to 5.7 feet.
The agency has a list of forecast times for cities along the West Coast on its website.
Residents can also check advisory, watch and warning sites on the U.S. tsunami warning system’s interactive map.
Hawaii is under a tsunami warning on Tuesday and Honolulu’s alert system said that “THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS 0717 PM HST TUE 29 JUL 2025.”
What People Are Saying
FEMA posted to X on Tuesday night: “Hawaii: If you receive an alert to evacuate to higher ground, do so immediately! More tsunami safety tips can be found at http://Ready.gov/tsunamis.”
President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social on Tuesday: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
Storm chaser Colin McCarthy posted to X on Tuesday: “Bumper to bumper traffic in Honolulu, Hawaii as residents attempt to get to higher ground. Tsunami waves as high as 12 feet are expected to begin impacting the Hawaiian Islands as early as 7:10 pm HST.”
Director of National Intelligence and Hawaiian Tulsi Gabbard also took to X on Tuesday: “Please pay attention to warnings, make preparations and be safe 🙏🏽 Warning sirens have sounded, friends on the phone telling me traffic is at a crawl.”
What Happens Next
People are urged to avoid coastal areas and check weather updates for the latest information.
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