Updated 7:39 p.m. PDT, Tuesday, July 29, 2025
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
A tsunami advisory is now in effect for Haida Gwaii and most of British Columbia’s coast following a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the southeast coast of Russia near Kamchatka.
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami watch, but upgraded it to an advisory after reports confirmed tsunami waves had already reached parts of Russia and Japan. Emergency Info BC has confirmed that a tsunami has likely been generated, with strong currents or waves expected along B.C.’s coastline.
Areas under advisory:
- Zone A: Haida Gwaii and the North Coast
- Zone B: Central Coast and Northern Vancouver Island
- Zone C: Outer West Coast of Vancouver Island
- Zone D: Northeast Vancouver Island
According to Emergency Info BC, waves under one foot are expected to reach Langara Island at approximately 10:05 p.m., and Tofino at around 11:30 p.m. However, officials stress that tsunami waves can be unpredictable and often arrive as a series. The first wave is not always the largest.
Safety instructions:
- Stay away from beaches, harbours, and marinas.
- Do not go to the shore to watch the waves.
- Remain out of the water, including swimming, surfing and boating.
- Follow all instructions from local emergency officials.
- Minimize phone use in affected areas to keep lines clear for emergency response.
Emergency Info BC has urged local governments to activate emergency plans and consider evacuating marinas, beaches and oceanfront areas. While significant inundation is not expected, the risk from dangerous currents remains high.
The earthquake is among the most powerful ever recorded in the Pacific region, striking roughly 136 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Official resources:
Haida Gwaii News will continue to monitor this situation closely and update this article as more details become available.
