Russia Earthquake: Tsunami Alerts Issued Across Latin America and Pacific

A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck the eastern coast of Russia on Tuesday, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.The United States Geological Service (USGS) confirmed the seismic event, which was strongly felt throughout Russia. The earthquakeS epicenter was off the Kamchatka peninsula, causing injuries and triggering alerts in countries bordering the Pacific, including Japan and Hawaii.

Several Latin American nations issued advisories, urging their populations to stay away from pacific coastlines. Ecuador’s Navy warned of a “high probability” of a tsunami,though no evacuation orders were immediately in place. Mexico’s government advised civil protection authorities nationwide to keep people clear of Pacific beaches, anticipating strong currents along the coast from Baja California to Chiapas.

Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service also alerted its citizens. Alicia Cebrián, National Director of Senapred, emphasized that there is ample time before any potential wave arrival, advising the public to rely on official facts channels. Easter Island, a Chilean territory, was expected to be among the first to experience the tsunami, with arrival estimated around 11 a.m. local time on July 30.

Peru also joined the alert, with the Indeci National Emergency Operations Center warning its coastal population. Following the earthquake, a tsunami reportedly impacted the easternmost coast of Russia on Wednesday, flooding parts of the port city of Severo-Kurilsk, where approximately 2,000 residents live. The Russian Emergency Ministry confirmed that the population of the affected city has been evacuated.