KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA — A newly released NOAA animation reveals the dramatic path of a powerful tsunami unleashed by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, July 30.

The violent tremor shook the region and triggered tsunami alerts across the globe — from Japan and Hawaii to New Zealand, Chile, and the U.S. West Coast — sparking mass evacuations affecting millions.

In the coastal town of Severo-Kurilsk, rising waters flooded parts of the area, and several injuries were reported, though authorities confirmed no major damage.

The NOAA Research video, released Thursday, visually depicts how the seismic energy surged through the Pacific Ocean, with wave fronts fanning outward in real time — offering a chilling reminder of the power and reach of deep-sea earthquakes.

Experts continue to monitor seismic aftershocks and tsunami risks as Pacific nations remain on heightened alert.