Tsunami Threat Lifted After Series of Strong Quakes Near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula

Moscow: Authorities have confirmed that the threat of a tsunami has ended after a series of powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued a warning, but later declared there was no longer a risk of dangerous tsunami waves in the region.

The most powerful quake registered a magnitude of 7.4 and occurred at a depth of 20 kilometres, approximately 144 kilometres east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city with around 180,000 residents, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

Several smaller but significant tremors were recorded before and after the main quake. Russian state media, quoting local seismologists, reported that Kamchatka experienced more than two dozen aftershocks, though their intensity appeared to be decreasing over time.

Following the major quake, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations issued its own tsunami warning, advising residents along the coastline to steer clear of the water. However, with no immediate reports of injuries or property damage, officials confirmed that evacuations were not necessary. Within a couple of hours, the ministry announced that the threat had subsided.

Historically, the Kamchatka region has seen intense seismic activity. Notably, on November 4, 1952, a massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the area. Although it caused severe destruction and triggered waves as high as 9.1 meters (30 feet) in Hawaii, there were no reported fatalities.