Honolulu, Hawaii – A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has triggered a tsunami watch for all of Hawaii, with potential wave arrival as early as 2:43 a.m. HST Sunday.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the earthquake struck at 8:49 p.m. HST Saturday, centered at 52.5°N, 160.7°E — just off Kamchatka’s eastern coast. Officials say a tsunami may have been generated and could pose a threat to distant shorelines, including the Hawaiian Islands.
As of 9:03 p.m., no coastal evacuations had been ordered, but emergency managers statewide are monitoring closely. Residents in coastal areas, particularly along low-lying shorelines in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, and Līhuʻe, are urged to prepare for possible evacuation.
Officials recommend staying tuned to local news and NOAA Weather Radio for updates. Have go-bags ready, avoid shoreline activity, and be prepared to move inland quickly if sirens sound or warnings are upgraded.
This is a tsunami watch, not a warning — meaning a threat is possible but not yet confirmed. The situation remains under active investigation.
Further updates will be issued at least hourly, or sooner if conditions change.
