8.8 Earthquake Hits Russia: How Long Before Tsunami Waves Hit Nearby Regions?

Last Updated:July 30, 2025, 13:43 IST

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck 136 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia.

Tsunami waves have already begun hitting parts of Russia, Japan and the US. (Representative Image)

A massive earthquake measuring 8.8 struck off Russia’s eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday and triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific. Waves have already begun hitting parts of Russia, Japan and the US.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck 136 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Far East. Coastal areas near the epicentre, including Severo-Kurilsk on the Kuril Islands, reported immediate wave activity. Japan and the US issued tsunami warnings as sea levels began rising in multiple locations across the Pacific basin.

The first tsunami waves were observed in Severo-Kurilsk, located in Russia’s Sakhalin region. According to regional mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov, a fourth wave also reached the town but was already significantly weakened by the time it arrived.

In Japan, state broadcaster NHK reported waves as high as 1.3 metres at Kuji Port in the country’s northeast. Other coastal areas, such as Nemuro Hanasaki and Ishinomaki Port, saw wave heights of 80 cm and 70 cm, respectively.

Wave activity along Japan’s eastern coastline has been steadily rising, with multiple ports now reporting surges between 50 to 60 cm up from 20 cm earlier in the morning.

Waves Reach US’ Hawaii And Alaska

Tsunami waves have started reaching US coastlines. A tsunami wave over five feet has been reported in Kahului on the north-central shore of Maui Island in Hawaii, according to CNN, citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The East Aleutian Islands and the Pacific side of the Alaska Peninsula have also started recording wave movement.

As warnings stretch across the Pacific and wave activity is tracked in real time, a common question resurfaces: how long does it take for a tsunami to reach the shore? To answer that, it is important to first understand what a tsunami is and what causes it.

What Is A Tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of long, powerful sea waves triggered by a sudden and massive disturbance in the ocean, often due to an undersea earthquake. These waves build in height and can travel across entire ocean basins as they approach the shore. Once they reach land, they can unleash severe coastal flooding and strong currents that may persist for hours or even days.

What Causes A Tsunami?

Most tsunamis are triggered by undersea earthquakes that cause sudden shifts in the sea floor. Other causes include landslides, volcanic eruptions or even asteroid impacts. According to the Global Historical Tsunami Database, about 88 per cent of all recorded tsunamis have been caused directly or indirectly by earthquakes.

How Fast Does A Tsunami Travel?

The speed of a tsunami depends on the depth of the water it is travelling through. In deep ocean waters, a tsunami can move faster than 500 miles per hour, which is similar to the speed of a jet aircraft. It means that tsunamis can cross entire oceans in less than a day.

As tsunamis reach shallow coastal waters, they slow down to the speed of a car, approximately 20 or 30 mph.

The US Tsunami Warning Centre has provided estimated arrival times for different coastal states:

Oregon and Washington: Around 11:35 PM PT

California: Starting around 11:50 PM PT

San Francisco Bay: Expected around 12:40 AM PT

Los Angeles Harbour: Around 1:00 AM PT

How A Tsunami Appears On Land

When a tsunami approaches land, it may not resemble a tall crashing wave. In many cases, the ocean may recede unusually far from the shoreline before a surge of water rushes inland. Depending on the coastline, it can look like a fast-rising flood or a wall of water.

Tsunamis Can Last For Hours Or Days

Tsunamis are not one-time events. They arrive in a series of waves, sometimes hours apart. The time between wave crests can range from five minutes to two hours. In some areas, wave activity may continue for more than 24 hours after the initial impact.

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Delhi, India, India

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News world 8.8 Earthquake Hits Russia: How Long Before Tsunami Waves Hit Nearby Regions?

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