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9h ago

Warnings End as Kamchatka’s 8.8 Quake Produces Modest Tsunami Waves

Limited seafloor uplift at depth dispersed energy to curb tsunami waves

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Aftershocks continue to hit after large earthquake that prompted Tsunami warnings.
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This image from NOAA'S Tsunami Warning System shows tsunami warnings (red), advisories (orange), watches (yellow) and threats (purple) after the huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Kamchatka on July 30, 2025. Why was the tsunami so much less devastating than first feared? Image via NOAA.

Overview

  • Tsunami warnings across Pacific coasts were lifted after local measurements showed wave heights of just over 3 meters in the Kurils and under 1.5 meters in Crescent City, California.
  • Finite fault models reveal up to 10 meters of slip along an 18° fault plane, but most vertical uplift occurred deeper than 20 kilometers and was absorbed by overlying rock.
  • Shallow coastal topography and coastline shape further dampened wave energy as it propagated across the ocean.
  • Early warning systems, including DART sensors and tsunami centers, enabled prompt evacuations and contributed to the absence of reported casualties or major damage.
  • Seismic monitoring continues to record aftershocks up to magnitude 6, though none have caused additional harm.