Tsunami Alert Issued After Series of Powerful Earthquakes Strike Russia’s Kamchatka Region

New Delhi (India) July 21: The US National Tsunami Warning Centre reports that a 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia's far east on Sunday. It caused a tsunami alert for parts of the country. The tremors happen 10 kilometres below the surface.

According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7. The US Geological Survey (USGS) and European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) later changed it to a magnitude of 7.4.

Epicenter near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

According to the USGS, within 32 minutes three earthquakes occurred in the immediate area of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The most powerful of them, which was first recorded at magnitude 7.4 but was later revised to magnitude 7.5. It occurs at a depth of about 20 kilometres. Two further tremors were detected in the same offshore area, with magnitudes of 6.7 and 5.0.

The epicenter was situated around 140 kilometres east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is a seaside city that controls Kamchatka Krai. It is a remote yet strategically important area that fronts the Pacific Ocean. The area is home to more than 160,000 people. It is situated within one of the most seismically active areas in the world.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center also noticed the situation attentively. A limited tsunami warning was issued for areas of Russia's Pacific coastline. The center confirmed that U.S. areas across the Pacific which includes Alaska, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands do not provide any immediate danger.

No major damage or injuries reported

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) confirmed no strange seismic activity within the state. It also reminds people that preparedness drills are done routinely. The incident caused no immediate loss of life or infrastructural damage.

The agency said, “Our residents are familiar with the sound of tsunami sirens. Today served as a real-time reminder of why those systems exist.”

Authorities are actively watching the situation. As of now, there have been no reports of serious damage or injuries from the earthquakes.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is set near a big zone of subduction that frequently sees powerful earthquakes.

The Kamchatka peninsula is in the middle point of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates where they meet. It makes it an active area for seismic activity.

Since 1900, seven major earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or greater have struck the Kamchatka area. It has created destruction across the region.

Aadrika Tayal