A magnitude 8.7 earthquake rocked the world Tuesday, in the North Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. This earthquake caused tsunami watches and warnings to be issued throughout the entire Pacific area. The United States Geological Survey, or USGS, was the first to announce the earthquake’s epicenter. It had been about 85 miles (136 kilometers) offshore of, and due east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
The quake had a depth of 19 kilometers. At first, the magnitude was estimated at 8.0, but then it was upgraded. The Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its rugged terrain and sparse population, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to seismic activity.
Following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings, indicating that “based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible.” This spurred decisive action across the coastlines of all seven affected areas.
Tsunami advisories have been issued for coastal regions in Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency has advised people on the islands to be ready for waves of more than 1m. A tsunami watch has been placed for the islands of Hawaii. At the same time, some of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands are waiting for a tsunami warning.
In the wake of the 5.1 magnitude quake, local leaders are on high alert and have acted preemptively. Vladimir Solodov, the governor of the Kamchatka Peninsula, recommended that members of the public keep a safe distance from all coastlines as a precautionary measure. Evacuations are underway now on Sakhalin Island. This unique island is situated in the Pacific Ocean, a stone’s throw from the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Local leaders are in hyper vigilance mode, and for good reason. They realize that looming tsunami waves pose significant hazards to coastal populations. While research continues, those living in at-risk communities should stay informed and pay attention to alerts and advice from state and federal officials.
