🌊 Oregon and Washington Under Tsunami Advisory After 8.8‑Magnitude Quake Off Russian Coast

🌊 Oregon and Washington Under Tsunami Advisory After 8.8‑Magnitude Quake Off Russian Coast

July 30, 2025 | Pacific Northwest

A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia on July 30, 2025, triggering tsunami alerts and advisories across the Pacific—including for Oregon and Washington YouTube+15Reuters+15The Guardian+15.

⚠️ Earthquake Ripples Across the Pacific

• The quake occurred at a shallow depth of around 19 km, about 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, ranking among the strongest recorded globally Wikipedia+5Reuters+5Reuters+5.

• Coastal areas in Kamchatka experienced significant tsunami activity—waves reached 3 to 4 meters (10–13 feet)—causing flooding and prompting evacuations in towns like Severo‑Kurilsk The Telegraph+10Reuters+10Reuters+10.

🏙️ West Coast Response: Advisories in Effect

Oregon

• The National Weather Service issued a tsunami advisory for much of the Oregon coast, warning of strong currents and minor coastal flooding, though widespread inundation is not expected YouTube+4The Bulletin+4KIRO 7 News Seattle+4.

• Projected wave arrivals began around 11:30–11:55 p.m., with maximum heights in places like Brookings and Port Orford up to 1.5 feet (about 0.5 m) opb.

• Even where wave heights were modest, officials emphasized that currents remain hazardous and residents should avoid beaches, marinas, and bays The Bulletin+1KIRO 7 News Seattle+1.

Washington

• Western Washington’s outer coast, including the Columbia River estuary and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, remains under advisory. Expected wave activity is below one foot, but conditions could still create dangerous currents KIRO 7 News Seattle.

• Small waves near Neah Bay, Long Beach, and Westport are expected from 11:35 p.m. to 2 a.m., with the strongest impact along the outer coast KIRO 7 News Seattle.

• The Puget Sound and inland waters are not anticipated to experience impacts KIRO 7 News Seattle.

🌏 Broader Pacific Risk and Global Alerts

• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings to regions including Hawaii, California, Alaska, Japan, Chile, and others. Hawaii faces estimated waves of 2–3 m (6–10 feet) starting around 7 p.m. HST, prompting evacuations The Telegraph.

• In Japan, tsunami warnings were extended nationwide, with eastern coastal areas evacuating more than 900,000 people. Wave heights recorded so far include 40 cm (about 1 foot) in Hokkaido, though much higher waves remain possible ElHuffPost+4AP News+4The Guardian+4.

• Other Pacific regions—including British Columbia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Indonesia—also issued alerts or advisories depending on threat levels TIME.

🧑‍🔬 Why the Pacific Northwest Advisory Matters

• Although Oregon and Washington face lower risk than Hawaii or Japan, even small tsunami waves can drive strong currents, especially near harbors and coastal infrastructure The BulletinKIRO 7 News Seattle.

• The earthquake closely mirrors historical megathrust events—and underscores growing concerns about the stability of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which has produced catastrophically large quakes and tsunamis in the past (e.g., the 1700 event) Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

📢 Safety Recommendations for Residents

Authorities campaign:

• Avoid shoreline areas, harbors, beaches, and marinas.

• Prepare for strong undercurrents, even without visible high waves.

• Wait for official "all clear" before returning to coastal zones.

• Stay updated through local emergency services, tsunami.gov, and official channels KIRO 7 News Seattle.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has prompted tsunami advisories across multiple Pacific nations. Though expected wave heights along the Oregon and Washington coasts are relatively low, officials warn that hazardous currents can still pose serious risks. The advisory serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability—and the importance of timely warnings and public readiness.