Tsunami watch lifted for BC following massive earthquake off Russia’s coast (UPDATED)

UPDATE: The Tsunami Advisory for all Tsunami Notification Zones in BC has been CANCELLED.

— original:
A powerful earthquake struck off Russia’s remote eastern coastline Wednesday evening, triggering tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific and prompting assessments of possible impacts on British Columbia.

The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.7, occurred at 4:24 p.m. about 133 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

It hit at a depth of 19 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The US Tsunami Warning System is currently evaluating whether there is a risk to BC’s coastal regions. As of 4:45 p.m., no tsunami warnings had been issued for Canada, but a tsunami watch is in place as officials monitor developments.

According to Emergency Info BC, the Tsunami Watch is in effect for:

• Zones A – North Coast and Haida Gwaii
• Zone B – Central Coast and Northeast Vancouver Island Coast, including Kitimat, Bella Coola, and Port Hardy
• Zone C – West Coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew
• Zone D – Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria (including the Saanich Peninsula)

The Tsunami Watch is in effect for #BC Tsunami Notification Zones A, B, C, & D. More info:https://t.co/pqmi9XE4UD #BCTsunami https://t.co/fqVooSQy5f pic.twitter.com/LkuK3KdL6F

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) July 30, 2025

Other regions across the Pacific are already on alert. A tsunami watch was issued for the Hawaiian Islands, and a tsunami advisory is in effect for parts of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Coastal areas of Japan are also under tsunami advisories, with waves up to one metre possible, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and public broadcaster NHK.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that, “based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible.”

Waves under 1 ft are expected to reach Langara Island (Haida Gwaii) at 10:05 p.m. and Tofino at 11:30 p.m. tonight.

The quake struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, a seismically active region that forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire — a zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The area is sparsely populated, but evacuations were reported on Sakhalin Island to the southwest of the epicentre, according to RIA News.

This is a developing story. Victoria Buzz will provide updates as more information becomes available.