The National Weather Service’s Tsunami Warning Center has reported that tsunami waves could begin reaching the Bay Area’s west coast around 12:30 AM on Wednesday, July 30. This follows a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Pacific coast.
Timelines for Tsunami Waves
⚠️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. #KnowYourZone at https://t.co/Dm0UehpMVM #CAwx #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/MLAkSPIJzL
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) July 30, 2025
In its advisory, the NWS stated:
“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 Tsunami Warning Center outlined a timeline for when tsunami waves might begin impacting California. According to the forecast, waves could arrive near Fort Bragg around 11:50 PM on Tuesday.
Other coastal areas in California may experience wave activity into the early hours of Wednesday, with La Jolla and Oceanside expected to be affected around 1:15 AM.
Philippines and New Zealand on High Alert
Officials in the Philippines have warned coastal provinces facing the Pacific about potential tsunami waves of under 1 meter (3 feet). They advised residents to avoid beaches and coastal waters. “It may not be the largest of waves, but these can continue for hours and expose people swimming in the waters to danger,” said Teresito Bacolcol from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
In New Zealand, authorities have alerted citizens to “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” around the coastline. The emergency agency urged residents to vacate beaches, harbors, rivers, and estuaries immediately, even though New Zealand is approximately 6,000 miles (9,600 km) from the earthquake’s epicenter.
Significant Earthquake in Kamchatka
This quake has been recorded as the most powerful in the Kamchatka Peninsula since 1952, according to the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They emphasized that “the situation was under control,” but warned of the likelihood of aftershocks for up to a month, advising people to stay away from vulnerable coastal areas.
As California braces for potential tsunami conditions, residents are urged to remain vigilant and stay informed through local advisories. For the latest updates, visit tsunami.gov.
