Canada has issued tsunami travel warnings for 38 countries after a massive Pacific earthquake
It's one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.
Tsunami evacuation route sign in the Cook Islands — one of 38 spots under a new travel warning from the Government of Canada.
Canadians heading to dozens of destinations across the Pacific Rim are now being warned to take extra precautions — or reconsider their travel plans altogether — after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Russia on Tuesday night.
The 8.8 magnitude quake hit near Kamchatka, Russia, and set off tsunami warnings that now stretch from Asia to South America.
In response, the Government of Canada has updated its travel advisories for 38 different countries and territories, urging Canadians to stay alert to ongoing risks like aftershocks, strong currents and dangerous waves. Many of these regions remain under active tsunami warnings.
A tsunami advisory is also in effect here at home for parts of British Columbia — including Haida Gwaii, the north and central coast, and sections of Vancouver Island — following waves detected across the Pacific Ocean.
Emergency Info BC warned that "strong and potentially dangerous waves" may still impact coastal areas and advised residents to avoid the shoreline.
Canada's travel advisories for affected regions all include similar guidance: avoid the coast, follow local evacuation plans, and stay tuned to local news for updates.
The travel warnings note that a tsunami "can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake," but the danger may last for several hours.
Waves from this quake — one of the strongest ever recorded globally — have already reached Japan, Hawaii and California, with Chile issuing its own high-level alert and evacuating parts of its coast.
Here are the 38 countries and territories now flagged by the Government of Canada due to tsunami risk:
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- French Polynesia
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia (FSM)
- 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 (states of Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska)
- Vanuatu
If you're travelling or already in one of these areas, the Canadian government urges you to:
- Familiarize yourself with local evacuation plans
- Stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal zones
- Monitor local media and alerts
- Follow all directions from local authorities
This latest advisory comes as millions of people across the Pacific remain on edge. In Japan, evacuation centres have been opened and memories of the devastating 2011 tsunami loom large.
In the U.S., Hawaii and parts of California saw waves of over a metre, prompting emergency responses. In Russia, where the quake originated, some waves reportedly reached up to 15 metres in remote areas.
With aftershocks still possible and unpredictable wave patterns expected to continue, Canadian officials are asking anyone with travel plans in the region to stay informed — and stay safe.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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