Tsunami alert after powerful earthquakes hit Russia’s Pacific coast

A tsunami warning was issued on Sunday after a sequence of strong earthquakes, including a powerful 7.4-magnitude tremor, struck off the Pacific coast of Russia, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed.

The epicentre of the seismic activity was located approximately 140 kilometres (87 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the capital of Russia’s Kamchatka region. According to the USGS, the region experienced three major quakes — two of magnitude 6.7 and one at 7.4 — within just 32 minutes. Prior to these, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake had also been recorded in the same area.

The US National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued tsunami alerts for Russia as well as Hawaii, prompting concern across the Pacific. However, the warning for Hawaii was later lifted after assessments indicated reduced risk.

In the aftermath of the initial shocks, three aftershocks were also detected, including one measured at magnitude 6.6.

Germany’s GFZ Research Centre corroborated the USGS data, initially reporting a magnitude 6.7 quake before updating its figure to 7.4. These tremors underline the region’s status as a seismic hotspot due to its location along the boundary of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, home to more than 163,000 residents, lies on the eastern edge of the Kamchatka Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is situated northeast of Japan and across the Bering Sea from the U.S. state of Alaska.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with residents in the affected areas urged to remain alert and adhere to official safety advisories.

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