A strong earthquake struck Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka region this morning, shaking buildings and triggering a tsunami warning across the region.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey the quake was measured at a magnitude of 7.8 and at a depth of 10 km. Russia’s state Geophysical Service, however, placed the magnitude slightly lower at 7.4 and noted at least five aftershocks.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially issued an alert for possible hazardous waves along nearby coastlines. Local authorities are actively alerting the public and reinforcing safety measures. While no significant damage or loss of life has been reported yet.
It also triggered a tsunami warning for parts of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, north of Japan. Authorities reported waves between 30 and 62cm (1 to 2ft) along the Kamchatka coast.
It also triggered a tsunami warning for parts of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, north of Japan. Authorities reported waves between 30 and 62cm (1 to 2ft) along the Kamchatka coast
The earthquake struck at 6.58am local time on Friday with its epicentre 127km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of just 165,000 people, according to the agency.
The tremor caused a series of aftershocks of up to 5.8 magnitude. Russia’s emergencies ministry said the quake had a magnitude of 7.2.
Governor Vladimir Solodov said all emergency services had been placed in a state of high readiness, but no damage had been reported.
“This morning is once again testing the resilience of Kamchatka residents,” Mr Solodov wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “Immediately after the earthquake, we began a rapid inspection of social institutions and residential buildings.”
Videos shared online showed light fixtures and kitchen furniture swaying, while small groups of residents gathered outside buildings.
In July, the remote Kamchatka region was hit by an 8.8-magnitude quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, setting off tsunami waves that reached as far away as Hawaii and California.
The current quake comes a week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the east coast of the Kamchatka peninsula. The US Tsunami warning system issued a threat following the quake, but it was later called off.
Earthquakes occur when the planet’s rocky tectonic plates, floating on magma, rub against each other, releasing massive amounts of energy.
