Aftermath of massive Russian quake unfolds with tsunami surges and volcanic eruption

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including in Japan, Hawaii, Chile, New Zealand and French Polynesia.

The shallow quake, the region’s strongest since 1952, caused building damage and injuries in Kamchatka and prompted evacuations in Japan and Hawaii. Tsunami waves of up to 5 metres hit Severo-Kurilsk in Russia’s Far East, flooding a port and fish processing plant.

Shortly after the quake, Kamchatka’s Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted, sending lava down its western slope.

While some tsunami warnings were later downgraded, authorities in French Polynesia continued to urge caution as waves hit the Marquesas Islands.

The Klyuchevskoy volcano in Russia started erupting after a strong earthquake hit off Russia’s far eastern coast. Lava began flowing down the volcano, which is the largest active volcano in the northern hemisphere. pic.twitter.com/9lksVBNufK

— Sasha DULIC 🇺🇸 (@_SashaDulic_) July 30, 2025