Massive 8.8 earthquake off Russia triggers tsunami alerts across Pacific

A powerful undersea earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale jolted the waters off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, leading to widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The quake, which struck at a shallow depth of about 19 kilometers, was centered roughly 125 kilometers southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a key coastal city in the Far East.

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Tsunami waves as high as 4 meters were observed along Russia’s coastline, including the Kuril Islands, prompting immediate evacuations. Fortunately, no significant injuries or fatalities have been reported, though some structural damage was confirmed in the region. Russian authorities have activated emergency response protocols and warned residents to stay clear of coastal areas.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which initially reported the quake at magnitude 8.0, later revised it to 8.8. The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for multiple regions, including Japan, Hawaii, and island nations like Palau, the Philippines, and the Marshall Islands. Waves between 1 and 3 meters are expected in vulnerable coastal regions, with smaller waves predicted for parts of Korea and Taiwan.

In Japan, tsunami waves reaching up to 50 centimeters were observed at Ishinomaki port, while several other eastern coastal sites reported wave activity of up to 40 centimeters. The Japanese government convened an emergency meeting under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s leadership to assess potential threats and coordinate relief operations.

Authorities across the Pacific continue to monitor the situation as aftershocks and residual waves remain a concern. Officials are urging coastal communities to remain alert and follow evacuation guidelines as a precaution.