Liputan6.com, Jakarta An 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, on July 30, 2025.
This seismic event immediately triggered a tsunami warning that spread across the Pacific, including the California coastline.
This tsunami warning demanded high vigilance from the public in the affected areas, given the potential dangers of strong currents and waves that could threaten safety.
Relevant authorities in the United States, Japan, and Indonesia immediately issued advisories and early warnings to residents.
The public was advised to stay away from coastal areas and comply with the directives of authorities to minimize risks.
This incident highlighted the importance of an effective early warning system in responding to the threat of natural disasters.
Powerful Earthquake Triggers Global Tsunami Warning
The earthquake that struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula was initially reported as a magnitude of 8.0, but was later revised to 8.7 after further analysis.
The epicenter was located approximately 125 to 136 kilometers east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with a shallow depth of approximately 19.3 kilometers.
This earthquake was the strongest in the Kamchatka seismic zone since 1952.The tsunami's impact was immediately felt in Russia, with waves as high as 3-4 meters recorded in parts of Kamchatka.
While there were no reports of injuries, a kindergarten was damaged, and residents were advised to stay away from coastal areas.
In Japan, the Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning with predicted waves of 1 to 3 meters, prompting evacuation orders in several regions.
The first wave, 30 cm high, hit Nemuro-Hanasaki Port in Hokkaido.
California on Tsunami Alert
The US Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for much of the coastline of Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington following the earthquake in Russia.
For California, this warning specifically means strong and dangerous currents are expected to impact beaches, harbor piers, and marinas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tsunami warning for all coastal areas in the Bay Area and Central Coast, including San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay.
This warning is the lowest category in the three-tiered warning system, but still indicates a serious threat.
This warning category means people should stay away from beaches and waterways due to the potential for strong and dangerous currents.
However, California has strict protocols in place for dealing with tsunami threats, as seen on December 6, 2024, when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Northern California triggered a brief tsunami warning that was later canceled after wave monitoring confirmed there was no significant potential.
California's Long History of Tsunami Threats
California has a long history of tsunami threats, both from local earthquakes and those originating remotely.
These events have shaped the region's protocols and preparedness for dangerous tidal waves.
- In 1700, a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and tsunami impacted northern California.
- An earthquake near Santa Barbara in 1812 generated a tsunami that forced the Chumash to relocate their settlements.
- The 1906 magnitude 7.8 San Francisco earthquake also generated a tsunami and massive fires that destroyed over 80% of the city.
- A tsunami from the magnitude 8.6 Alaska/Aleutian earthquake in 1946 flooded parts of Half Moon Bay, causing damage and one death.
- In 1960, a tsunami from the magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile inundated Crescent City, causing one death and significant damage.
- The tsunami generated by the magnitude 9.2 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska in 1964 again inundated Crescent City, causing 13 deaths and over $160 million in damage.
- The most recent locally generated tsunami was generated by the 1992 M7.2 Cape Mendocino earthquake.
- The tsunami from the 2006 M8.3 Kuril Islands earthquake generated strong currents and caused $20 million in damage.
- The 2010 M8.8 earthquake in Chile generated tsunami waves that caused millions of dollars in damage in California.
- The tsunami from the 2011 M9.1 earthquake in Japan generated dangerous currents and tidal waves in California, resulting in over $100 million in damage to marinas and ports.