Massive 8.8 Quake Hits Russia, Tsunami Alert Issued
Moscow: A powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s eastern coastal region of Kamchatka, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific. According to international media, tsunami waves measuring 3 to 4 meters (approximately 10 to 13 feet) hit the coastline shortly after the quake, causing severe damage to ports and buildings and leaving several people injured.
Emergency measures were swiftly implemented in various Pacific nations. Japan and the Philippines issued emergency alerts, with thousands of residents being evacuated from coastal areas to safer locations. The Fukushima nuclear plant was evacuated as a precaution, and railway services in eastern Japan were suspended. Tsunami waves were also reported in the Japanese city of Hokkaido.
In the United States, tsunami warnings were issued for California, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, Chile, and Oregon. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 150 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, beneath the Pacific Ocean.
It is worth noting that on July 20, Russia also experienced earthquakes measuring 5.0 and 6.7, but no tsunami alerts were issued at the time. However, a subsequent 7.4 magnitude quake was recorded at 08:49 GMT, after which USGS warned of potentially hazardous tsunami waves in some coastal areas.
Experts have warned that tsunami waves between 30 centimeters and one meter (up to 3.3 feet) may hit Russian shores, while smaller waves — less than 30 centimeters (1 foot) — are expected in Hawaii and Japan.
