UPDATE:
A Tsunami Advisory has been cancelled for the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Puget Sound, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
“A Tsunami was generated by this event but does not pose a threat to these areas. Some areas may see small sea level changes,” the agency said. “The decision to re-occupy hazard zones must be made by local authorities.”
Original Report from Tuesday, July 29:
A tsunami watch has been issued for Washington’s coast and the Puget Sound region following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia Tuesday afternoon, July 29.
The quake hit around 3:25 p.m. PST, 315 miles southwest of Bering Island and just 80 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 12 miles.
A tsunami was generated by the earthquake that could impact the Hawaiian islands, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A Tsunami Warning is now in effect for all of Hawaii.
If a tsunami impacts the West Coast, the first waves would arrive in Washington around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The tsunami watch covers a massive swath of the Pacific coastline, including:
- Washington’s coast and northern Puget Sound region (including the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, and western Skagit and Whatcom counties)
- Oregon and California coasts
- British Columbia, including Vancouver Island
- Alaska, from the Canadian border to the Aleutian Peninsula
⚠️ A tsunami watch means dangerous waves could be on the way. It is not yet a warning, but emergency officials advise the public to stay alert and be prepared to act quickly if evacuation orders are issued.
There are no immediate reports of damage or tsunami activity on the West Coast. Russian authorities have not released initial assessments on the impact to Kamchatka, which was rattled by several strong quakes earlier this month, including a magnitude 7.4.
Residents in at-risk areas are urged to:
- Stay tuned to NOAA weather alerts or local news
- Avoid coastal areas late Tuesday night unless advised otherwise
- Be ready to evacuate if the watch is upgraded to a warning
In 1952, a 9.0 quake in the same region triggered massive waves across the Pacific, reaching Hawaii with 30-foot surges. Though no deaths were reported, the event remains a stark reminder of how far a quake’s effects can travel.
This is a developing story. Check back to Puget Press for updates.
