7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Russia’s Kamchatka, hazardous waves feared

Earthquake

An earthquake measuring 7.1 in magnitude struck near the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region on Saturday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Authorities have yet to report casualties or damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that “hazardous” waves were possible along coasts within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. In July, a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula, generating tsunamis up to four metres high across the Pacific.

The quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, prompted widespread evacuations, with Hawaii, Japan, and other coastal regions on high alert as authorities prepared for potential disasters. In Japan, nearly two million residents were ordered to move to higher ground as tsunami warnings spread quickly.

Although alerts were later downgraded or rescinded, the earthquake was the most powerful since the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, which claimed over 15,000 lives, raising fears of a repeat catastrophe.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake at magnitude 7.4 with a depth of 39.5 km (24.5 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning System noted a threat of a possible tsunami, while in Japan, no tsunami warning was issued, NHK reported, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency.