2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake

On July 30, 2025, at 11:24 a.m. local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, generating a Pacific-wide tsunami. Although this powerful earthquake was tied as the sixth strongest ever recorded by seismometers, the tsunami was weaker than initially feared, and the impact in terms of loss of life was minimal. In this episode, we examine how effective planning and warning systems helped minimize casualties. We also debunk a myth about a "parade of erupting volcanoes" and share essential tsunami safety information – all while doing our best to pronounce some beautifully complicated place names.

 

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome message

00:15 – 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake

00:33 – Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

00:40 – Shaking intensity & impact

01:00 – Pacific-wide tsunami

01:22 – Tsunami less destructive than feared

01:56 – Lessons from 1952 earthquake

02:24 – Relocation of Severo-Kurilsk

02:37 – Planning + warnings helped save lives

02:48 – Parade of erupting volcanoes?

03:10 – Krasheninnikov eruption

03:22 – Four ongoing eruptions

03:31 – Multiple eruptions not unusual for Kamchatka

04:00 – Subduction zone earthquakes can trigger eruptions

04:33 – Tsunami safety information

05:06 – Natural warning signs

05:45 – 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: Tilly Smith story

06:51 – Preparedness + education saves lives

06:59 – Our "why"