- An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Russia on July 29, 2025.
- California coastal counties were placed under tsunami watch as a precaution.
- The National Weather Service provided estimated arrival times for potential waves.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 — A powerful earthquake off the coast of Eastern Russia has prompted a tsunami watch for parts of California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. The event occurred on July 29, 2025, at 4:25 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time and registered a magnitude of 8.8, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake struck approximately 80 miles southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of around 11 miles beneath the seafloor. In response, the National Tsunami Warning Center
issued a watch for the U.S. West Coast, indicating that conditions were favorable for a potential tsunami but that no immediate action was required beyond monitoring.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explained that tsunami watches are issued as an early alert to areas that could be affected. These watches may later be upgraded to warnings or advisories—or canceled entirely—depending on the evolving data.
As reported by KTLA.com, estimated tsunami arrival times were released for several locations along the California coastline:
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Santa Barbara: 12:50 a.m. on July 30
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San Francisco: 12:50 a.m. on July 30
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Los Angeles Harbor: 1:05 a.m. on July 30
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Newport Beach: 1:10 a.m. on July 30
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La Jolla: 1:15 a.m. on July 30
As of publication, the National Weather Service stated on social media that the situation was still being assessed.
The tsunami watch remains in effect until further notice. Residents in affected areas are encouraged to monitor official weather updates and follow any instructions provided by local emergency management agencies.
Source:
KTLA News, “California under tsunami watch after 8.7M quake in Eastern Russia,” https://ktla.com/news/local-news/california-under-tsunami-watch-after-8-7m-quake-in-eastern-russia/ (Accessed July 29, 2025).
National Weather Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
