Tsunami hits California Coast following Kamchatka earthquake

Waves from a tsunami triggered by an earthquake near Kamchatka have reached the coast of the US state of California.

According to Caliber.Az, the US National Weather Service reported the development.

A notice posted by the Los Angeles branch of the weather service said:

"The tsunami has reached the California Coast, and is showing up in the Arena Cove, CA tide gauge and is making its way down the coast right now."

The tsunami has reached the California Coast, and is showing up in the Arena Cove, CA tide gauge and is making its way down the coast right now. https://t.co/sgdGtQjKxC pic.twitter.com/gVTFlHpY3J

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 30, 2025

On July 30, 2025, a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, making it one of the most significant seismic events globally since 1900.

The epicentre was located approximately 119 kilometres east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 19.3 kilometres. 

This earthquake generated tsunami waves that impacted various regions across the Pacific Ocean. In Russia's Far East, waves reached up to 15 meters, causing localised damage and prompting evacuations.

Japan's northern coast detected waves up to 60 centimetres, leading to evacuation advisories for up to 2 million residents across 220 municipalities.

Tsunami warnings were issued for areas as far as Hawaii, California, Mexico, and New Zealand, with authorities urging residents to avoid coastal areas due to the threat of strong currents and multiple waves. 

The Kamchatka Peninsula is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

The region has experienced several significant earthquakes in the past, including the 1952 M9.0 earthquake, which resulted in a destructive, Pacific-wide tsunami.

By Aghakazim Guliyev