TOKYO — A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday morning, triggering widespread tsunami warnings and sending shockwaves of concern across the Pacific.
The earthquake struck at 8:25 a.m. local time in Japan, with the epicenter located off the eastern coast of the sparsely populated but geologically volatile peninsula. Originally recorded at magnitude 8.0, the quake was later upgraded by seismologists as more data emerged.
Panic and Damage Near the Epicenter
In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the largest city in the affected region, frightened residents rushed from their homes, many barefoot and in sleepwear. Local media shared images of overturned furniture, cracked walls, broken mirrors, and vehicles swaying in parking lots. Power outages and disrupted mobile networks have been reported across several areas.
“Everything started shaking so hard. I grabbed my child and ran,” said one resident to a local broadcaster. Emergency crews are now surveying the damage, though access to remote areas remains limited.
Tsunami Threat Spurs Global Alerts
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued urgent alerts shortly after the quake, warning that tsunami waves between 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) could affect coastal regions across the Pacific, including Japan, Hawaii, and parts of South America.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami advisory for the northern coasts, urging residents to move inland or to higher ground immediately. Waves are expected to reach Japan’s northern shores within the hour.
In the United States, Alaska’s coastline—particularly the Aleutian Islands—was placed under a tsunami warning, with advisories extending as far south as the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington. Officials stressed that while no evacuations were ordered immediately, residents in low-lying areas should stay alert.
Part of a Larger Pattern
This is the latest in a series of earthquakes that have rocked the region this month. Earlier in July, five major quakes struck the same seismically active zone, including one that measured 7.4. The Kamchatka Peninsula lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent and intense seismic activity.
Seismologists are comparing the current quake to the 1952 Kamchatka earthquake, which measured 9.0 and generated tsunami waves over 9 meters high in Hawaii. Thankfully, that earlier event caused no reported deaths.
The Next Few Hours Are Critical
Authorities across multiple countries are monitoring coastal wave activity, warning that tsunami effects can arrive in multiple waves hours apart. Residents near affected coastlines are advised to remain vigilant, even if an initial wave appears small.
Emergency services in Russia, Japan, the United States, and South America are coordinating across time zones to provide timely updates and begin damage assessments. For now, the focus remains on safety, communication, and preparation for any further aftershocks or tsunami surges.
