A series of strong earthquakes struck off the coast of Russia’s Far East on Sunday, prompting a tsunami warning for surrounding regions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The seismic activity began with 5.0 and 6.7 magnitude quakes, which did not initially result in any tsunami alerts. However, a much more powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake followed at 08:49 GMT (1:49 PM Pakistan Time), triggering an official tsunami warning from the USGS.
The agency forecasted hazardous tsunami waves for certain coastal areas, particularly in eastern Russia, with expected wave heights ranging between 30 centimeters to 1 meter (up to 3.3 feet). In contrast, wave activity in Japan and Hawaii was expected to be minimal, likely under 30 centimeters.
The epicenter of the earthquakes was located approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a major city on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The region is known as a seismic hot zone due to the collision of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.
After the initial tremors, several aftershocks followed — including another powerful 6.7-magnitude quake — continuing to shake the region.
Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported expected tsunami waves of up to 60 centimeters around the Commander Islands, situated in the southwestern Bering Sea, and 15 to 40 centimeters along the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as residents in coastal zones remain on high alert.
