after 7.5 magnitude earthquake caused tsunami
A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rattled Hawaii on Saturday night, briefly plunging the state into uncertainty. The tremor, which struck at 8:49 p.m. local time, was traced to seismic activity off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula—a region known for frequent and intense tectonic events.
By 9:03 p.m., a tsunami watch had been issued across Hawaii, prompting heightened concern and memories of past disasters. However, within the hour, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reviewed seismic data and determined that the undersea quake posed no significant tsunami threat. The watch was promptly canceled, and officials assured the public that no further updates would follow unless conditions changed.
The announcement brought a wave of relief and gratitude across social media, where residents urged each other to stay calm and “go back to enjoying the evening.” Despite the reassurance, some locals cautioned others to remain vigilant, citing Hawaii’s vulnerability to oceanic events.
Earlier that evening, Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula was rocked by a series of strong quakes, beginning with a 7.0-magnitude tremor, followed by shocks ranging from 6.6 to 7.4. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situationsadvised coastal communities near the epicenter to remain alert, though projected wave heights were not expected to be significant.
For many in Hawaii, the scare resurfaced painful memories of 1952, when a massive 9.0-magnitude quake in Kamchatka triggered a devastating tsunami. That event caused widespread destruction in the islands, leveling infrastructure and dragging boats and piers out to sea—a historical context that magnified public concern on Saturday night.
Even after the tsunami watch was lifted, local voices on social media reminded others to exercise caution. Some warned of possible ocean surges and urged people to avoid coastal activities, including swimming, diving, or gathering “opihi”, a prized Hawaiian shellfish harvested from coastal rocks.
