Tokyo, Japan: A massive 8.8‑magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday triggered a Pacific‑wide tsunami alert, disrupting air travel and forcing carriers in the United States and Japan to cancel and divert flights. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines canceled multiple flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, affecting Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue, and Hilo. Alaska Airlines suspended all departures to the islands, rerouted flights already enroute, and issued travel waivers for affected passengers.
Authorities ordered evacuations of low‑lying areas in Hawaii as tsunami waves up to 1.8 meters struck shorelines Tuesday evening, causing traffic congestion as residents moved to higher ground. Officials warned that multiple waves could follow and urged residents to stay away from coastal zones until all advisories are lifted.
On the U.S. mainland, particularly along the Northern California coast, residents were placed on high alert as Crescent City prepared for swells of up to 10 feet. Waves measuring about half a meter were recorded at several locations, prompting emergency services to advise boat owners to secure vessels and avoid harbors.
In Japan, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled all flights to and from Sendai Airport after the runway was closed, and bullet train services as well as ferry operations were suspended across parts of the northeast.
More than 900,000 residents were advised to evacuate or move to higher ground as tsunami waves up to 40 centimeters reached coastal areas. Authorities also halted operations at multiple nuclear power facilities, including Fukushima, to ensure safety protocols were strictly followed.
The earthquake’s impact prompted tsunami advisories across Taiwan, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador, with officials urging people to stay away from shorelines and ports because of strong currents and abnormal wave activity.
In Russia’s Kuril Islands, waves as high as 15 meters were reported in Severo‑Kurilsk, leading to widespread evacuations and flooding in low‑lying areas. No casualties have been confirmed so far, but search‑and‑rescue operations are continuing and property damage assessments are underway.
Aviation authorities have urged travelers to check schedules before heading to airports as disruptions are expected to continue until tsunami warnings are lifted. Airlines are expected to adjust operations based on aftershock activity and evolving wave forecasts. Seismologists caution that aftershocks are likely and could potentially trigger additional wave surges, while emergency response agencies across the Pacific remain on high alert.
