A tsunami threat has been issued for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified potential risks for these South Pacific regions, including dangerous coastal flooding and strong or unusual currents that could be hazardous to people near the water.
U.S. citizens in the affected countries have been advised to stay updated with local news and official sources regarding the situation. According to the alert: "A tsunami threat includes potential dangerous coastal flooding and/or strong and unusual currents dangerous to those in or very near the water. U.S. citizens in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are advised to monitor local news and official updates."
The U.S. Embassy recommends several precautionary measures: "Stay informed by following updates from local authorities and trusted sources. Be prepared to move to higher ground immediately if you are in a coastal area and notice unusual sea activity or feel strong or prolonged shaking. Avoid coastal areas, beaches, and rivers until further notice. Ensure your emergency supplies are ready, including water, food, medications, and important documents."
The embassy also provided contact information for assistance in Port Moresby at +(675) 308-9100 or via email at consularportmoresby@state.gov. Additional resources such as country information pages for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are available online.
Americans traveling or residing in these countries can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates directly from the U.S. government (https://step.state.gov/). The public is also encouraged to follow updates on Facebook through pages for U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, U.S. Embassy Honiara, and U.S. Embassy Port Vila.
Further assistance can be obtained from the State Department's Consular Affairs at 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.