Russia earthquake: New Zealand at risk of surges after magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Pacific coast

• New Zealand faces “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” along its coastline after a massive earthquake Wednesday morning.
• The magnitude 8.8 quake struck off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia at 11.25am (NZT).
• It is the only quake over magnitude 8 this year, and the first of this size since 2021.
• Japan has issued evacuation orders for hundreds of kilometres of its coastline, while Hawaii says locals should take “urgent action ... to protect lives and property” in coastal areas.
• Waves over a metre have hit Hawaii and Japan, and the height of the waves continues to grow.
• An emergency alert was issued to New Zealanders at 4.12pm.
• Waves are expected to impact the country starting from midnight.
• NZ’s National Emergency Management Agency said it expected New Zealand coastal areas to experience "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore".
• People in or near the sea in affected NZ areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
• Auckland Emergency Management will open four Civil Defence Centres for residents who live aboard marine vessels.

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