Major Earthquake Strikes Off Russia’s Far East Coast
A powerful magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Tuesday, sparking widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific region, including Japan and several Pacific island nations. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at 10:17 a.m. local time (Kamchatka), at a depth of 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) beneath the ocean floor.
Tsunami Alerts Issued Across Pacific
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) quickly issued tsunami warnings and advisories for coastlines across the North Pacific, including:
- Northern and eastern Japan
- Russia’s Far East
- Alaska’s Aleutian Islands (U.S.)
- Hawaii (advisory status)
- Pacific island nations including the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Marshall Islands
Japanese authorities have urged residents in coastal areas of Hokkaido and Tohoku to move to higher ground. Sirens sounded in several communities as emergency services began evacuations.
Current Impact and Response
As of 12:30 p.m. JST (Japan Standard Time), no significant tsunami waves have been reported, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) could reach portions of the northern Japanese coastline within hours. Russia’s Emergency Ministry has issued evacuation orders for low-lying areas around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
In the United States, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory for the Aleutian Islands, cautioning residents and mariners to remain alert for unusual wave activity. Hawaii is currently under a tsunami watch, with officials advising the public to stay tuned for further updates.
Flights and Transportation Affected
Airlines in Japan and Russia have rerouted or delayed multiple flights as a precaution. Ferry and rail services in affected regions were temporarily suspended pending further assessments.
Seismic Activity Overview
The Kamchatka Peninsula is situated in one of the world’s most seismically active regions, at the junction of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. This latest quake is among the strongest recorded in the area in over a decade, raising concerns of aftershocks and additional tsunami risks.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Officials across the Pacific are urging residents in threatened areas to follow local evacuation orders and monitor official communications. Emergency management agencies emphasize that tsunami waves can continue for several hours after the initial quake and may vary in size.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available. For live updates and safety instructions, follow advisories from national and local authorities.
