News
- New Zealand coasts faced tsunami threats after strong earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
- Emergency officials warned of unpredictable surges and strong currents lasting several hours overnight.
- Tsunami alerts also issued in Hawaii, Japan, US west coast, Philippines and Indonesia.
Emergency Management in New Zealand issued a national advisory warning of strong and unpredictable sea conditions following a massive earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The magnitude 8.7 quake struck at 11:25am (NZT), prompting officials to urge people to stay out of the water and away from beaches, harbours, rivers and estuaries.
“Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people,” authorities warned. The advisory covered almost every coastal area of New Zealand, including the North and South Island shorelines, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Dangerous conditions were expected to reach New Zealand shores around midnight and remain for several hours.
The earthquake, the most powerful recorded globally since 2011, also triggered international alerts. Hawaii’s emergency authorities sounded sirens across Honolulu, ordering an “immediate evacuation” of parts of Oahu, warning that “destructive tsunami waves are expected.” The United States extended tsunami warnings to its west coast, including California, Oregon and Washington.
In Japan, workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated as a precaution. Officials confirmed there had been no casualties or damage so far. The Philippines and Indonesia also issued warnings, predicting smaller tsunami waves under one metre in some coastal areas.
The United States Geological Survey reported numerous strong aftershocks in Russia’s far east following the initial quake. These included tremors measuring 6.9 and 6.3 in magnitude, along with several others between 5.4 and 5.8.
Authorities across affected regions urged the public to remain vigilant as the situation continued to develop.
NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY
EXPECT STRONG AND UNUSUAL CURRENTS AND UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AT THE SHORE
We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake near OFF THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA RUSSIA at 2025-07-30 11:25 AM.
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.
People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
AREAS UNDER THREAT:
The West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to RAGLAN including the West Coast of Auckland and Manukau Harbour, and from HAWERA to WHANGANUI, the East and South Coasts of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to MAKARA including Whangarei, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, Lake Ferry, the Wellington South Coast and Wellington Harbour, the West Coast of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to MILFORD SOUND including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika, the top of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to PORT UNDERWOOD including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds,the East and South Coasts of the South Island from the CLARENCE RIVER to PUYSEGUR POINT including Kaikoura, Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula and Invercargill, STEWART ISLAND, and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.
ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN AREAS UNDER THREAT:
STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS
People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.
There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event. We are advising people to:
- Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
- Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
- Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
- Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.
The first tsunami activity causing these strong currents and surges may reach New Zealand in the areas around No Information at approximately No Information New Zealand Daylight/Standard Time and No Information Chatham Islands Daylight/Standard Time. This may be later and the first tsunami activity may not be the most significant.
Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.
This National Advisory has been issued following an assessment of information available. The situation may change as new information becomes available. Listen to the radio or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz