A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7 struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East on Wednesday. The quake generated a tsunami that reached heights of up to 4 meters (13 feet), causing damage to buildings and prompting evacuation alerts in the region and along much of Japan’s east coast.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described the earthquake as the most serious in decades. He reported damage to a kindergarten in the area. The tsunami, measuring between 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet), was observed in parts of Kamchatka, leading regional emergency officials to advise residents to steer clear of the shoreline.
The U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the earthquake was shallow, occurring at a depth of 19.3 kilometers (12 miles). Its epicenter was located about 126 kilometers (80 miles) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 people. Initially, the quake was recorded at a magnitude of 8.0 but was later revised to 8.7.
In Japan, the Japan Weather Agency heightened its tsunami warning, predicting waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) to hit coastal areas starting around 0100 GMT. Evacuation orders were issued for several locations, and residents in northern Hokkaido were seen moving to higher ground as a precaution.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also alerted coastal regions of Russia, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii to expect hazardous tsunami waves. Evacuations were ordered in some coastal areas of Hawaii, with local officials advising residents to take immediate action.
In Russia, the small town of Severo-Kurilsk south of Kamchatka was also under evacuation orders due to the tsunami threat. Local health officials reported that several people sought medical help following the quake, with injuries mostly resulting from panic, including one person who jumped out of a window.
The Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted that while the earthquake was powerful, the shaking intensity was not as severe as might be expected for such a magnitude. They also mentioned ongoing aftershocks but indicated that stronger tremors were not anticipated in the immediate future.
Kamchatka and the surrounding region are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its geological activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents cope with the aftermath of this significant seismic event.