Central and South America Issue Tsunami Warnings

A magnitude 8 earthquake hit Russia’s east coast on Tuesday. Following the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a tsunami warning in the Pacific Ocean. Panama was named.

Authorities in Central and South America have ordered evacuations and issued tsunami warnings after the magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia’s eastern coast. While there is no way of being 100% certain, authorities in Panama urge people to take caution until midday Wednesday, July 30th, 2025. 

Omar Smith Gallardo, the head of the National Civil Protection System, called for calm and urged residents of the Pacific coast to stay away from the coast until lunchtime. Panama had not been affected by larger earthquakes in the past, but it was not possible to guarantee “100%” that would be the case this time.

The director of the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama , Néstor Luque, indicated that, following the earthquake waves of between 30 centimeters and one meter in size will reach the Pacific coast of Panama.

Luque explained that the waves produced by the tsunami following the 8.7 magnitude earthquake in Russia will reach the Panamanian coast between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

The official explained that the tsunami waves in Panama would not coincide with high tide. Luque on Telemetro Reporta highlighted that the waves will reach the Pacific coasts of Chiriquí, Coiba, Veraguas and Los Santos.

The epicenter of the quake was located about 136 kilometers east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula, at a depth of 19 kilometers, according to the USGS.

Japanese authorities have warned of the risk of a one-meter tsunami hitting their coast. “Do not venture out to sea or approach the coast until the alert is lifted,” the meteorological authority warned.

 The Japanese meteorological agency raised its tsunami warning on Wednesday, noting that waves of up to three meters are expected. Waves are expected to hit Japan’s Pacific coast between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. (01:00-02:30 GMT), the Japanese meteorological agency reported. The same warning has been issued for Hawaii. 

Source: Estrella, The Gaurdian (live updates here)