A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, marking one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in this remote region of the Far East. The quake has triggered tsunami waves up to 4 meters high, causing significant material damage and prompting tsunami warnings across multiple Pacific Ocean countries, according to Reuters.
The governor of Kamchatka described it as the “most serious and powerful earthquake in the past ten years.” Local authorities reported injuries and damage to infrastructure. Regional Emergencies Minister Sergei Lebedev confirmed in a social media video that tsunami waves up to 4 meters have hit coastal areas, urging immediate evacuation.
Russian scientific institutions called the quake a “unique earthquake” not seen since 1952 and warned of aftershocks that could continue for up to a month.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter about 125 kilometers from the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 19.3 kilometers.
Countries at Risk: Japan, US West Coast, Hawaii, Ecuador, Chile, Solomon Islands
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued warnings for tsunami waves up to 3 meters along its eastern coast. Over 1.9 million residents across 21 prefectures were ordered to evacuate. Public broadcaster NHK reported major traffic disruptions and temporary road closures.
Workers at the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated as a precaution, AFP reported.
In the United States, authorities activated tsunami warning systems. Officials warned waves up to 3 meters could reach the US West Coast, with potential impact extending to Ecuador, Japan, Hawaii, Chile, and the Solomon Islands.
In Hawaii, authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of low-lying areas. Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay calm and follow official evacuation instructions.
Philippine authorities advised citizens to avoid beaches and coastal areas due to the risk of unpredictable waves. In Mexico, the navy issued warnings for incoming waves along Ensenada and the Pacific coast down to Chiapas.
New Zealand issued an alert for strong currents and dangerous waves along its entire coastline, advising people to stay away from the water and ports.
Historical Comparison & Warnings
The Geophysical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted this was Kamchatka’s strongest quake since 1952, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami waves in Hawaii but resulted in no casualties.
Scientists stressed that while the situation is “under control,” it remains dangerous due to possible aftershocks and urged citizens to avoid coastal areas indefinitely.
