On July 30, 2025, a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake shook the Pacific Ocean near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. This quake caused tsunami warnings and advisories across the Pacific, including California, Hawaii, and Alaska.
The California tsunami warning alert covered the entire West Coast, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Crescent City. Officials asked residents to stay away from beaches and waterfront areas and urged people to move inland or head to higher ground immediately.
In Hawaii, waves up to 6 feet hit Oahu and several islands. Airports paused or diverted flights, and some travellers sheltered at the Maui airport. In Northern California, Crescent City saw its first tsunami wave around 3–4 feet tall just after 1 a.m. local time. The San Francisco Bay Area recorded small waves and strong currents, but no injuries or damage were reported immediately.
The National Tsunami Warning Centre and other agencies worked around the clock. They issued warnings based on the earthquake’s strength, location, and waves detected by ocean buoys. They explained that early alerts are safer even if a tsunami does not form. The first wave may not be the biggest, and dangerous surges can follow for hours.
This was not the first time California faced such a risk. In December 2024, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck offshore near Humboldt County. Authorities issued a coastal tsunami warning that covered nearly 500 miles from Monterey north into Oregon. The warning lasted about 45 minutes before cancellation. No significant damage or injury occurred. Many felt frustrated about evacuating only to see nothing happen. However, experts said the alert saved lives, even if only a slight wave (5 cm) hit one bay.
Here are some key points about the current threat and past risks:
California’s coastline is vulnerable because many major faults lie underground. One such fault, the Ventura Fault, could produce an 8.0‑magnitude quake capable of generating dangerous tsunamis that reach Santa Barbara, Ventura, or Los Angeles.
Despite those past events, many residents need to refresh their tsunami knowledge. Officials say people should know their evacuation routes and have a go‑bag ready. A tsunami can hit as fast as 5–10 minutes after an earthquake near the coast. If you see the sea pulling back suddenly, head for high ground immediately.
No evacuation orders were issued for California during the current alert. However, California officials asked people to stay clear of coastlines and marinas. They advised caution until local emergency services lifted all warnings. They warned that water currents along harbours might remain risky even if waves stay small.
Over the next 10 to 36 hours, authorities will continue to monitor ocean buoys, coastal sensors, and seismic activity and update the public with any changes. The agencies reminded people that undersea earthquakes may send more waves later—even long after the first one.
This event shows the importance of acting quickly. A tsunami warning may be false, but it gives people time to reach safety. Officials emphasise that feeling frustrated after a warning is standard, but staying safe matters more.
