A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.7 hit Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, following which, Tsunami waves of upto 4 metres hit the region, according to Reuters.The US Geological Survey reported an earthquake at a depth of 19.3 km, but there was no immediate update on its impact in Russia’s Kamchatka region. University of Tokyo seismologist Shinichi Sakai told NHK that even distant quakes can trigger tsunamis in Japan if the epicenter is shallow
Here’s what we know so far:
- A tsunami reaching up to 4 metres (13 feet) following the quake, Sergei Lebedev, regional minister for emergency situations, said, urging residents to move away from the peninsula’s shoreline. according to Reuters.
- Japan’s meteorological agency issued an advisory for a tsunami of up to 4 meters (yard) along the Pacific coast of Japan,
- The quake was about 250 kilometers (160 miles) away from Hokkaido.
- It was felt only slightly, AP reported citing Japan’s NHK television.
- The Earthquake and subsequent Tsunami led to evacuations and caused damage to buildings, officials reported, as quoted by Reuters.
- This marks the strongest tremor in decades, Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. Solodov added that a kindergarten was damaged.
- Tsunami warning also sirens blared in Honolulu as residents were advised to seek higher ground following an 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern coast.
- Traffic was congested in certain Honolulu neighbourhoods, and officials were preparing to open a mountain pass as an evacuation route from Waianae, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, said state Rep. Darius Kila. Despite the summer break, some schools issued alerts cancelling sports and other activities.