Tsunami alerts has been issued for Hawaii, California and Alaska following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off near Russia.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the earthquake hit just before 1:30pm Hawaii Standard Time near the east coast of Kamchatka.
Officials are watching for signs that a tsunami may be developing. While Hawaii and the California coastline was put on a tsunami watch, parts of Alaska have been put on a tsunami advisory.
The earthquake was initially reported as a magnitude 8.0, but the U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the earthquake to an 8.7.
A tsunami watch is issued when there is a potential for a tsunami to develop. That alert can be upgraded to an advisory if monitors have reason to believe that the waves generated by a potential tsunami are likely to be dangerous.
A tsunami warning is issued when widespread water inundation or significant coastal flooding is expected from a confirmed tsunami.
According to the center, if waves did hit Hawaii, the earliest would arrive around 7:17pm HST.
The Oahu Department of Emergency Management shared a post on social media alerting locals to the potential tsunami.
“A tsunami threat is being evaluated. Please stay tuned to local TV/radio,” the post says.
Anyone living in or visiting Hawaii that wants to know if they’re in an evacuation zone can find that information at honlulu.gov/tsunamievac.
The National Weather Service in the Bay Area also published a post telling anyone in the area to keep up with developing news, as waves from a potential tsunami could arrive just after midnight local time.
“TSUNAMI WATCH in effect for the California coast. Estimated time of arrival as early as 12:15 AM on July 30. People along the coast: Stand by for further updates,” the post says.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management directed those in the potential path of the tsunami to its resource page.
“The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Watch for San Francisco following the 8.7 earthquake in Kamchatka. A Tsunami Watch means the danger of a tsunami affecting San Francisco is not yet known,” the department said in a post. “The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation and will send out additional information when available. Visit for guidance and an interactive map of the tsunami hazard zone.”
Outside of the U.S., Japan has also issued a tsunami advisory following the earthquake. Japanese meteorological officials believe a potential tsunami could inundate parts of the coastline up to a yard, according to CBS News. The Kamchatka peninsula in Russia is also facing a tsunami threat, according to NOAA.
