Three powerful tremors, including a major 7.5-magnitude quake, struck off Russia’s Pacific coast on Sunday, prompting a tsunami alert for parts of the Far East and Hawaii.
The strongest of the quakes occurred at 08:49 GMT in the Pacific Ocean near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) assessed the earthquake at 7.5 magnitude with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Earlier assessments had placed it lower, but it was revised upwards by both the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and the US agency.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that “hazardous tsunami waves are possible” within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.
According to reports, two smaller earthquakes, of magnitude 5.0 and 6.7, were also recorded in the same region earlier in the day but did not immediately result in tsunami advisories.
Also read: Manga megaquake panic unsettles Japan, hits tourism industry
The shallow depth and location of the 7.5-magnitude tremor heightened concerns. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch not only for Russia’s eastern coastline but also for parts of Hawaii, although no waves had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Emergency services and local authorities are said to be closely monitoring coastal areas, while residents have been urged to remain alert. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties or major structural damage.
Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to frequent tectonic disturbances. The region regularly witnesses strong seismic events, though only a few result in tsunami alerts.
As assessments continue, officials have urged restraint and preparedness. The situation remains fluid and subject to change with further geological readings.
Follow us
