Caught on video: Shocking footage captures huge 8.8 earthquake in Russia, tsunami alerts issued across Pacific

A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, shaking buildings and triggering tsunami warnings that prompted evacuations across Russia and Japan.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake’s epicentre was 125km southeast of Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka Peninsula, at a shallow depth of 19.3km. The magnitude was initially recorded as 8.0 but later upgraded to 8.8 — the strongest in the region since 1952.

Social media videos showed furniture violently shaking inside homes and alarms sounding at seismic centres. Buildings swayed, but no casualties have been reported so far.

Drone footage reveals tsunami flooding in Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake, one of the strongest recorded, triggered waves up to four metres across the Pacific, prompting evacuations from Hawaii to Japan.

Videos show parts of Severo-Kurilsk submerged, with around 2,000 residents evacuated. While several minor injuries were reported, no serious casualties have occurred. Kamchatka’s governor urged residents to avoid coastlines and follow official warnings as authorities continue to assess the tsunami’s strength.

In Severo-Kurilsk, tsunami waves flooded the port area, prompting evacuation of about 2,000 residents. Several minor injuries were reported.

A 30cm wave hit Hokkaido, triggering tsunami alerts and evacuations along Japan’s eastern and northern coasts. The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded warnings, forecasting waves up to 3 metres reaching as far as Wakayama.

The USGS and US Tsunami Warning Centers issued alerts for hazardous waves across the Pacific basin, affecting countries including Russia, Japan, the US (California and Alaska), Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, Australia, and Pacific islands. Expected wave heights range from 1 to 3 metres.

Authorities have urged coastal residents to seek higher ground and avoid beaches until further notice. Emergency agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.

A 30cm wave hit Hokkaido, triggering tsunami alerts and evacuations along Japan’s eastern and northern coasts. The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded warnings, forecasting waves up to 3 metres reaching as far as Wakayama.

The USGS and US Tsunami Warning Centers issued alerts for hazardous waves across the Pacific basin, affecting countries including Russia, Japan, the US (California and Alaska), Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, Australia, and Pacific islands. Expected wave heights range from 1 to 3 metres.

Authorities have urged coastal residents to seek higher ground and avoid beaches until further notice. Emergency agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.