Ukhrul, July 30: One of the strongest earthquakes in over a decade struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, shaking the region and triggering tsunami warnings across much of the Pacific.
The quake, which registered a magnitude of 8.8 and struck at a shallow depth of just 19.3 kilometers, sent powerful tremors through the far eastern coast of Russia. Waves as high as 4 meters have already hit parts of Kamchatka, and smaller tsunami waves—around 30 to 50 centimeters—were reported in northern Japan’s Hokkaido region.
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According to reports, authorities have issued tsunami warnings for several countries, including Russia, Japan, the United States (Alaska and the West Coast), Hawaii, and even Ecuador. Evacuations are underway in many coastal areas, with Hawaii warned to brace for possible waves up to 3 meters high. Officials say the tsunami threat could last for several hours, with the risk of multiple waves coming in succession.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sounded alarm:
So far, no major injuries or deaths have been reported, though Russian media noted some minor damage, including to a kindergarten building.
Emergency agencies across the Pacific are on high alert, urging people in coastal regions to stay away from the shore and follow evacuation orders where issued. The situation is still developing, and authorities are closely monitoring for aftershocks and further wave activity.
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