The strongest earthquake since 2011 prompts tsunami warnings in Hawaii and Alaska
One of the 10 powerful earthquakes recorded so far, the magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck on Russian coasts on July 29, leading to a widespread tsunami warning.
Hawaii is one of the world’s most tsunami-sensitive spots, thanks to its remote locations in the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by infamous seismic activity known as the “Ring of Fire.”
So it was not a major surprise to see a tsunami warning arrive after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake occurred from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29th.
According to the National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration, tsunami waves can arrive from anywhere overseas, including Russia, South America, Alaska and Aleu Island. On average, Hawaii experiences a devastating tsunami once every 11 years.
The oldest historical accounts emerge from the island’s oral history, including a 16th century chant about the waves that smashed the coast of Molokaii.
On December 21, 1812, waves arrived at Hokena on the west coast of the large island, becoming the first recorded tsunami event, NOAA said. Since then, more than 160 tsunamis have been confirmed on Hawaiian islands, according to NOAA and other scientific papers. Nine of these tsunamis caused 294 deaths and more than $625 million in damages.
Today, modern scientists are studying local corals to document previous tsunamis.
Historic Hawaiian Tsunami
Among the major tsunamis (and the size and location of the earthquakes that produced them):
- On April 1, 1946, 159 lives were taken at an 8.6 event in the Aleutians.
- 9.0 event in Kamchatka, Russia, which caused an estimated $1 million damage in Hawaii on November 4, 1952
- 9.1 event in the Aleutian Islands, March 9, 1957
- On May 22, 1960, the 9.5 event in Chile took 61 lives, remaining the world’s most powerful earthquake in modern records.
- 9/28/1964, the 9/2 event in Alaska.
A massive undersea earthquake off Japan in 2011 caused a tsunami to significantly damage three hotels in Kona on the west side of Big Island, causing an estimated $14 million in damages. However, there were no reports of serious injuries.
