Tsunami Reaches U.S. Shores After Massive Quake; Effects Could Last 30 Hours

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – Tsunami waves reached the U.S. West Coast early on July 30 following a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia’s eastern coast the day prior.

Though no major damage has been reported, officials in California and Hawaii remain on alert as wave activity continues.

In California, the highest waves were observed in Crescent City, reaching 4 feet by 5:30 a.m. San Francisco recorded waves of up to 2.5 feet, while much of Southern California saw smaller surges, generally a foot or less. Humboldt and Del Norte counties received the most serious warnings in the state, though some alerts have since been downgraded.

Officials warned that the tsunami effects could persist for up to 30 hours in Crescent City. “A tsunami is not just one wave,” the National Weather Service in the Bay Area posted on X. “It’s a packet of waves that can last for several hours. This rapid surging of water can create dangerous currents.”

In Hawaii, the strongest wave measured was 5.7 feet in Kahului. The state was initially under a tsunami warning, prompting evacuation orders and widespread alerts on the evening of July 29. Honolulu’s mayor urged residents to move to higher ground, and the governor called for immediate evacuation of coastal areas. However, by early July 30, the warning had been downgraded to an advisory, and some evacuation orders were lifted. Authorities urged residents to stay alert as ocean conditions remain potentially hazardous.

The tsunami was triggered by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. The undersea quake struck off Russia’s sparsely populated Far East coast and ranks as the sixth strongest on record. The initial waves hit parts of northeastern Japan and Siberia, prompting the evacuation of nearly 2 million people.

In the quake’s aftermath, Russia’s Klyuchevskoy volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula began erupting, according to state media reports.

U.S. coastal areas including Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska have all experienced wave activity. Emergency officials continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that hazardous conditions may persist for several more hours. Coastal residents are advised to remain cautious and follow updates from local authorities.