Late on July 19–20, 2025, a major earthquake (magnitude 7.4–7.5) occurred in the sea off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, hundreds of miles away in the Pacific. As a result, officials put Hawaii under tsunami watch. Let’s learn what that entails and why it happened—even though nothing did occur in Hawaii.
Russia Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Watch in Hawaii
What Occurred in Russia?
On about July 20, UTC early morning, the Kamchatka coast of Russia suffered three big earthquakes, one with 7.4 magnitude, one with 6.7, and others with more than 6.5 magnitude.
The quake struck 10–20 km beneath the sea—rattling the seafloor, which at times triggers tsunamis.
Russian authorities alerted coastal regions and prepared for waves up to 60 cm in outlying islands off Kamchatka.
What Is a Tsunami Watch?
A tsunami watch is a warning notice, which means that officials perceived there was a potential for waves but weren’t certain yet. It warns individuals:
Something may occur—be prepared for more notification
Prepare to evacuate, particularly in case water elevations start to fluctuate at beaches or shorelines
If they encountered further hazard, it would become an advisory or warning.
Why Did Hawaii Receive the Alert?
Hawaii is remote—more than 3,500 miles from Kamchatka—but tsunamis will travel across the Pacific.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) declared the watch mere minutes after the earthquake—about 9:03 p.m. HST.
But upon reviewing real-time sea levels and models, they detected no large waves approaching. The tsunami watch was lifted at 9:42 p.m. HST—less than 40 minutes after it started .
What Did Hawaii Do?
Emergency personnel activated systems—alarms, sirens, and rapid messaging went out over phone and radio.
Once the watch was cancelled, Hawaii reported that no tsunami was coming. All was safe and calm .
Individuals were instructed to remain vigilant, but they did not have to evacuate homes or beaches because no tsunami was approaching .
Why This Matters Even When No Wave Came
- Preparation for tsunamis saves lives. In 1952, a large earthquake near Kamchatka triggered a tsunami with waves of more than 30 feet (9 m). That wave hit Hawaii—and two fishermen perished .
- Warnings make people prepare. Even if there is nothing to happen, being prepared quickly can avoid panic.
- Earthquakes occur throughout the Pacific. Japan, Chile, Alaska, and Hawaii are occasionally hit by remote tsunamis .
A Quick Timeline of the Event
| Time (HST) | What Happened |
| ~8:49 p.m | Magnitude 7.4-7.5 earthquake hits near Kamchatka, Russia |
| 9:03 p.m | Tsunami watch issued for Hawaii by PTWC |
| 9:42 p.m | Tsunami watch cancelled no threat detected |
| Next day | Officials confirm all clear, no waves hit Hawaii |
What Is Kamchatka Like?
Kamchatka is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a chain of volcanoes and compressing tectonic plates.
It’s named “Ring of Fire” because most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along it .
There have been more major quakes in Kamchatka in the past, such as in 1923 (8.4 magnitude) and 1952 (9.0 magnitude) that resulted in major tsunamis in Hawaii and Alaska .
How Should Families Respond?
If you’re in a coastal region like Hawaii, here’s what to do if a watch is declared:
Avoid the beach until warning is cancelled.
Have a go-bag filled with water, food, flashlight, and first aid.
Watch for TV, radio, or phone notifications.
Obey instructions from local officials.
It was a close call, and the system responded quickly to demonstrate things went well — the system is monitoring and can alert quickly.
Conclusion
On July 19–20, Hawaii experienced a brief tsunami watch after a powerful earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka. Fortunately, no tsunami followed, and the watch was canceled within an hour. But this event highlights how important early warning systems are for keeping everyone safe—even for far‑away quakes.
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