Millions Return Home as Tsunami Warnings Lifted After Russia's Massive Quake

 

PUERTO AYORA, Ecuador:
Tsunami warnings across the Pacific Rim were lifted on Wednesday, allowing millions of evacuees to safely return home after a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s sparsely populated Kamchatka Peninsula.

More than a dozen countries — including Japan, the United States, Chile, and Ecuador — had issued tsunami warnings urging citizens to evacuate coastal areas. Predictions warned of waves up to 4 meters (12 feet) high in some regions.

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Massive Disruption, Minimal Damage

The earthquake caused widespread precautionary shutdowns.

• Peru closed 65 of its 121 Pacific ports

• Flights to and from Maui, Hawaii were canceled

• Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan was temporarily evacuated

In Japan, nearly 2 million residents were ordered to seek higher ground before warnings were either downgraded or fully lifted.

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Chile and Ecuador Respond Swiftly

Chile conducted what officials called “perhaps the most massive evacuation ever carried out in our country,” moving 1.4 million people to safety. Fortunately, no casualties or damages were reported — with waves reaching only about 60 cm (2 feet) on the country’s northern coast.

In Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, where 3-meter waves were initially feared, residents saw only minimal ocean swells. “Everything is calm. I’m going back to work,” said Isabel Grijalva, a Santa Cruz resident. Restaurants and tourist sites quickly reopened as conditions normalized.

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Tragic Loss and Isolated Damage

The only reported fatality occurred in Japan, where a woman died after driving off a cliff while fleeing the quake zone.

Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk port experienced the most visible damage, with footage showing debris and buildings swept into the sea. The local fishing plant was submerged, and a tsunami wave reached the town’s WWII monument, 400 meters inland.

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Aftershocks and Volcanic Activity

The quake — Russia’s strongest since 1952 — was followed by dozens of aftershocks, including one at 6.9 magnitude. The US Geological Survey warned of a 59% chance of another major quake in the coming week.

Adding to the tension, Russia’s Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted shortly after the quake.
“Red-hot lava is flowing down the western slope,” officials reported, alongside visible glows and explosions.

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Global Relief Amid Ongoing Risk

Despite early fears of catastrophe, most affected regions reported no significant damage. The response showcased improved international coordination and disaster preparedness.

The quake now ranks among the 10 strongest tremors globally since 1900, according to the US Geological Survey.