Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake Near Russia Triggers Tsunami Watch Along Entire California Coast
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula late Tuesday afternoon, prompting a tsunami watch later upgraded to an advisory for the entire California coastline — from the Mexico border through San Diego and up to the northernmost parts of the state.
The quake struck at approximately 4:25 p.m. Pacific Time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A series of significant aftershocks followed within the hour, including two measuring 6.9 and 6.3 in magnitude.
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch shortly after the initial quake, noting that while a tsunami has not yet been confirmed, coastal communities should remain alert. A tsunami watch serves as an early notification to areas that may be affected by a tsunami at a later time and provides time for communities to prepare or respond if necessary.
“If tsunami waves are generated, they may arrive at different parts of the California coast at different times,” the center said in a statement. Forecasted arrival times include approximately 1:05 a.m. Wednesday for Los Angeles Harbor, 1:10 a.m. for Newport Beach, and around 1:15 a.m. for Oceanside and La Jolla.
The center emphasized that the tsunami watch could be upgraded to a warning or advisory—or canceled entirely—as more data becomes available.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said it is “monitoring any potential impacts to the state” and coordinating with federal and local partners as the situation develops.
Meanwhile, more serious tsunami warnings have been issued for parts of Hawaii and the Alaska coastline, where the proximity to the quake’s epicenter presents a potentially greater risk of wave activity.
Estimated Tsunami Arrival Times (Local Time):
California
Fort Bragg – 11:50 p.m., July 29
Crescent City – 11:55 p.m., July 29
Monterey – 12:15 a.m., July 30
Port San Luis – 12:35 a.m., July 30
San Francisco – 12:40 a.m., July 30
Santa Barbara – 12:50 a.m., July 30
Los Angeles Harbor – 1:05 a.m., July 30
Newport Beach – 1:10 a.m., July 30
Oceanside – 1:15 a.m., July 30
La Jolla – 1:15 a.m., July 30
Washington
La Push – 11:35 p.m., July 29
Neah Bay – 11:40 p.m., July 29
Long Beach – 11:45 p.m., July 29
Moclips – 11:50 p.m., July 29
Westport – 11:55 p.m., July 29
Port Angeles – 12:20 a.m., July 30
Port Townsend – 12:45 a.m., July 30
Bellingham – 1:10 a.m., July 30
Tacoma – 2:00 a.m., July 30
Oregon
Port Orford – 11:40 p.m., July 29
Charleston – 11:45 p.m., July 29
Brookings – 11:50 p.m., July 29
Seaside – 11:55 p.m., July 29
Newport – 11:55 p.m., July 29
These times are preliminary estimates and may shift depending on real-time wave modeling and ocean monitoring. Authorities are encouraging all coastal residents to stay informed, heed official warnings, and be prepared to move to higher ground if the tsunami watch is upgraded.
As of Tuesday night, no evacuations had been ordered in California, and emergency officials urged residents along the coast to stay informed through official channels for any updates or changes to the tsunami watch status.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to analyze data from the seismic event.