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Summary

Canada is warning travellers about tsunami risks in 38 countries after a massive earthquake

Waves have already hit Japan, Hawaii and parts of California.

A tsunami zone sign that is attached to a wooden rail overlooking the Atlantic ocean in Florida.

The 8.8‑magnitude quake struck near Kamchatka on Tuesday night and is one of the strongest ever recorded.

Oseland| Dreamstime
Senior Writer

Canadians planning trips around the Pacific are being warned to stay cautious after a massive earthquake off the coast of eastern Russia triggered tsunami alerts across the region.

The 8.8‑magnitude quake struck near the Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday night and is one of the strongest ever recorded. In the hours that followed, tsunami warnings spread from Asia to South America — and now, 38 countries and territories are flagged in Canada's latest list of travel advisories.

The federal government is urging Canadians to avoid beaches, follow local evacuation plans and stay tuned to official alerts. In many of the affected areas, strong waves and aftershocks are still possible.

A tsunami advisory is also in effect here at home for parts of coastal B.C., including Haida Gwaii, the north and central coast, and sections of Vancouver Island. Emergency Info BC warned that "strong and potentially dangerous waves" could impact the shoreline and told residents to stay away from the water.

Waves from the quake have already reached Japan, Hawaii and California, while Chile has begun evacuating parts of its coast. Some waves reportedly reached up to 15 metres in remote parts of Russia.

If you're heading to one of the affected regions, officials recommend reviewing local safety procedures, avoiding coastal zones, and staying informed about local news.

Countries and territories flagged by Canada:

  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Kiribati
  • Macao
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia
  • Mexico
  • Nauru
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Niue
  • Northern Marianas
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Taiwan
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • United States (Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska)
  • Vanuatu

For the latest updates, visit Canada's official travel advisories.

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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.

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    • Born and raised in Montreal, Al Sciola is a Senior Writer for MTL Blog. With a background in covering sports and local events, he has a knack for finding stories that capture the city’s spirit. A lifelong Canadiens fan and trivia enthusiast, Al spends his downtime sipping espresso and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

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