Moscow, Sep 13 (IANS) — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region on Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit 111 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional administrative centre, at a depth of 39.5 km.
Following the tremor, Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov announced a tsunami threat and urged residents to avoid coastal areas. “The threat of a tsunami has been declared. Please exercise caution when visiting Khalaktyr Beach and other tsunami-prone zones,” he wrote on Telegram, advising people to remain calm and follow official updates.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency, quoted by NHK World, said the quake could cause minor tidal fluctuations along Japan’s coast but posed no risk of serious damage there.
The region has been experiencing seismic activity since a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kamchatka on July 30, which also prompted Pacific-wide tsunami alerts. That tremor, recorded at a shallow depth of 19.3 km, led to fears of destructive waves across parts of Russia and Japan.
In Saturday’s quake, social media videos showed intense shaking, rattling furniture, and residents rushing out of buildings. Local media reported structural damage, though authorities are still assessing the full extent.
The epicentre was near Avacha Bay, part of the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent.
