Tsunami warning for French Polynesia after Russia earthquake
French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands face waves up to 2.2 meters following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Residents are urged to seek higher ground and secure boats overnight.
- Middle East
- Reuters
- Published Date: 12:01 | 30 July 2025
Local authorities in French Polynesia have issued a tsunami warning for the Marquesas Islands archipelago, with waves of 1.10 to 2.20 metres expected to hit the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, and Hiva Oa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
The warnings follow a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
Residents were urged to move to higher ground and follow official instructions, including securing boats or moving them away from the shore.
Other archipelagos in French Polynesia may be affected by waves less than 30 cm high, which do not require evacuation or sheltering, local authorities said.
French Polynesia covers 4,200 sq km of the Pacific Ocean, roughly the area of continental Europe. It consists of 118 islands, grouped into five archipelagos.
- Egyptian foreign minister, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire
- Hezbollah chief says group will not surrender weapons, calls disarmament ‘internal matter’
- UN calls for permanent ceasefire as Israel's tactical pauses fail to meet Gaza's 'immense needs'
- Stopping threats to Syria's sovereignty, separatist activities a priority: Turkish National Security Council
- US Sen. Schatz condemns Gaza crisis as 'moral tragedy', 'strategic abomination'