Tsunami Alerts Issued for U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska Following 8.8 Magnitude Quake off Russia

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia late Tuesday, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific. Evacuation orders and advisories have been issued for Hawaii, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, with officials warning residents to avoid beaches and low-lying coastal areas. Tsunami waves have already reached Hawaii, where some measured over 5 feet, and emergency sirens sounded in places like Crescent City, California—an area with a tragic tsunami history. The quake, tied for the sixth strongest ever recorded, is the most powerful globally in 14 years. Authorities continue to monitor wave activity, with advisories also issued in Japan, China, and the Philippines.