8.7 magnitude earthquake hits Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, sparks tsunami warnings across pacific coastlines including Japan and Hawaii

Time of India

5 days ago

In a terrifying jolt early Wednesday, Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula was rocked by a powerful undersea earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale. The tremor, which struck near the coastline, has now triggered tsunami warnings across multiple countries, including Japan, the United States, and Australia. The quake was initially logged at 8.0 magnitude before being revised upwards by the US Geological Survey, as cited by Reuters.
Waves could reach Japan's coast within hours due to earthquake
Japan, which sits directly across from Kamchatka, responded swiftly. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an upgraded tsunami alert, warning residents along the Pacific coastline of potential waves up to three metres high. These waves were expected to hit between 10:00 am and 11:30 am local time, with authorities urging residents to stay away from coastal areas.
nearly all watches in japan have turned into warnings, IF YOU ARE IN A WARNING AREA LEAVE IMMEDIATELY #Japan #Russia #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/IQr0Qw2wYf
BREAKING : Millions have advised to evacuate from coastal areas in Eastern Japan after a massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Russia and a massive Tsunami has triggered. USA also issued warning for its coastal areas. pic.twitter.com/3s4fPuzmn4
Hawaii, Australia also on watch
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami watches for Hawaii and Australia following the quake. While tremors in Japan were reported to be mild, the threat of far-reaching waves has forced officials across the Pacific to remain on high alert. Seismologist Shinichi Sakai from the University of Tokyo noted that shallow offshore quakes like this one can trigger large-scale tsunami events even at considerable distances.
Quake epicentre near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
According to USGS, the quake's epicentre was located roughly 125 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a coastal city home to over 165,000 residents. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 19.3 km, which increases the risk of surface-level devastation.
BREAKING: 8.0-magnitude earthquake hits off Russia's Kamchatka region - PTWC pic.twitter.com/4uFjXYq17O
Structural damage and evacuations reported after the earthquake
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described the earthquake as 'the strongest in decades.' He confirmed that while no injuries had been reported, a kindergarten sustained damage. Evacuations were immediately ordered in Severo-Kurilsk, a town situated south of Kamchatka, due to rising tsunami risks.
The Russian Ministry for Emergency Services has estimated potential tsunami waves up to 32 centimetres along Kamchatka's coast. Although relatively low, these waves are still being closely monitored for escalation. The region, along with Japan, lies on the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its frequent and violent tectonic activity.
⚡️The impact of the 8.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka was captured on cameras. (VIDEO 1)The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for coastal areas.Tsunami waves hit Russia's Kuril Island. pic.twitter.com/1aCfQVBfmM
Echoes of the 1952 Kamchatka disaster
This latest seismic event draws comparisons to the 1952 Kamchatka earthquake, a catastrophic 9.0 magnitude tremor that sent 30-foot waves crashing into Hawaii. While no deaths were reported in that event, the memory lingers, adding to today's sense of urgency and unease.