Massive 7.8 Earthquake Strikes Off Russia’s Coast, Tsunami Advisory for Alaska

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Pacific coast on Thursday, triggering a tsunami advisory for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

The quake hit just before 11 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time (3 p.m. ET), centered about 90 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Tsunami waves were expected to reach Shemya, Alaska, around 12:20 p.m. AKDT (4:20 p.m. ET). Officials noted that while a tsunami advisory is less severe than a warning, strong currents and minor flooding could still pose risks along beaches and harbors.

The tsunami threat for Hawaii remains under evaluation, with the earliest potential wave arrival estimated around 2:51 p.m. HST (8:51 p.m. ET). Canadian and U.S. mainland Pacific coasts are not currently under alert.