Tsunami threat, warnings issued as Russian coast struck by series of earthquakes
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Russia lifts tsunami warning after series of strong quakes off Kamchatka Coast
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is no longer a tsunami threat to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. No casualties or damage were reported, though more than two dozen aftershocks were recorded. The largest quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) and was 144 kilometers (89 miles) east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
The Brief A series of powerful undersea earthquakes struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, with the strongest reaching magnitude 7.4. Authorities initially issued tsunami warnings, but later confirmed there was no longer a threat. No casualties or damage were reported, though more than two dozen aftershocks were recorded.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is no longer a tsunami threat to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula after five powerful undersea earthquakes, the strongest measuring 7.4 in magnitude, struck nearby on Sunday.
The backstory:
The largest quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) and was 144 kilometers (89 miles) east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Smaller — but still substantial — quakes were recorded before and after. Russian state media said, citing local geologists, that over two dozen aftershocks had hit Kamchatka. It added their strength was gradually receding.
What they’re saying:
The PTWC initially said there was a danger of major tsunami waves but later downgraded its warning before finally saying the danger had passed.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry also issued a tsunami warning following the largest quake, urging residents of coastal settlements to stay away from the shore.
Dig deeper:
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and the ministry said it had no plans to evacuate residents. Just over two hours later, it reported that the danger had passed.
On Nov. 4, 1952, a magnitude 9.0 quake in Kamchatka caused damage but no reported deaths despite setting off 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii.
Series of strong quakes strike near Kamchatka, tsunami threat lifted
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued a tsunami alert but later confirmed that the danger had passed. The strongest quake occurred at a depth of 20 kilometres and was located about 144 kilometres east of Petropavlov
According to the US Geological Survey, the strongest quake occurred at a depth of 20 kilometres and was located about 144 kilometres east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of around 180,000 people.
Smaller — but still substantial — quakes were recorded before and after. Russian state media said, citing local geologists, that over two dozen aftershocks had hit Kamchatka. It added their strength was gradually receding.
Powerful earthquakes rock Russian coast, trigger brief tsunami watch for Hawaii
The strongest quake, magnitude 7.4, struck near the coast of the Kamchatka region. Four of quakes and aftershocks reached 6.0 or higher. The largest quake was centered about 90 miles east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Watches were issued for Russia’s Kuril Islands; they were canceled hours later.. The watch was issued four days after a magnitude. 7.3 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula, briefly triggering a tsunami warning. for the state’s southern coast.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported, according to Russian media.
A series of powerful earthquakes and aftershocks that rocked Russia’s far eastern coast triggered a tsunami watch for Hawaii that was canceled about 40 minutes later.
The strongest quake, magnitude 7.4, struck near the coast of the Kamchatka region at about 2:50 a.m. ET, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Four of quakes and aftershocks reached 6.0 or higher.
A tsunami watch was issued for Hawaii minutes after the quakes began rolling. Watches were issued for Russia’s Kuril Islands; they were canceled hours later.
The Geological Survey reported the largest quake, at a depth of over 12 miles, was centered about 90 miles east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, home to about 180,000 people. State-run Russian media outlets said there were no reports of casualties or damage.
The watch was issued four days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula, briefly triggering a tsunami warning for the state’s southern coast. Residents of several communities were ordered to move inland to higher ground. Hours later the watch was canceled.
Tsunami advisory canceled after magnitude 7.3 earthquake recorded off Alaska coast
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Big Island of Hawaii August 2024, but no tsunami watch was issued.
A tsunami watch occurs after any earthquake that risks generating a tsunami. A watch is upgraded to a tsunami advisory if the potential tsunami could cause dangerous currents or waves but would likely not cause widespread damage.
A tsunami warningis issued if forecasters believe the tsunami may cause widespread, dangerous flooding and powerful currents that may continue for several hours or days.
Earthquake shakes Hawaii’s Big Island as storms loom in the Pacific
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of ocean waters, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. The force creates waves that radiate outward in all directions away from their source, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins, according to a description from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Unlike wind-driven waves, which only travel through the topmost layer of the ocean, tsunamis move through the entire water column, from the ocean floor to the ocean surface.
7.4 magnitude earthquake hits off Russian coast, prompting brief tsunami warning
Several notable quakes hit within about an hour off the coast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia. The first was a 7.0 magnitude quake in the sea about 142 km east of the city, USGS said, citing preliminary data. Within moments, a 6.7 magnitude quake struck, followed by a series of quakes with magnitudes at 7.4, 6.5 and 6.6. State and city officials in Hawaii issued tsunami watches, which were later canceled.
A Tsunami threat was initially issued off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. The tsunami warning issued for all areas close to the Pacific was later cancelled, according to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.
That ministry had warned residents near the earthquake area that they should under “no circumstances” try to go to the shore to watch the tsunami. The ministry added, however, that “the height of the waves that may reach the coast is not high.”
“A tsunami wave with a height of no more than 60 cm is possible to approach the Aleutian Municipal District, no more than 40 cm to the Ust-Kamchatka Municipal District, and no more than 15 cm to the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka District,” Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a statement announcing the tsunami warning.
The alert followed several notable quakes that hit within about an hour off the coast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to USGS.
The first was a 7.0 magnitude quake in the sea about 142 km east of the city, USGS said, citing preliminary data. Within moments, a 6.7 magnitude quake struck some 130 km east of the city, followed by a series of quakes with magnitudes initially measured at 7.4, 6.7 and 6.6, according to USGS. Several lesser earthquakes of varying depths followed in the same area.
Smaller tsunami waves were possible in Hawaii, Japan and the Midway Atoll, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said as the quakes struck. State and city officials in Hawaii issued tsunami watches, which were later canceled, according to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
“Tsunami Watch Issued – Prepare to Act! A Tsunami Watch means a tsunami is possible, but the situation is still being evaluated,” the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said on social media prior to the alert being canceled.
ABC News’ Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.
Will 7.4 Russia earthquake activate Tsunami in Hawaii? Key updates about threat
A strong 7.4-magnitude underwater earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia caused short-lived tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a tsunami alert after the earthquake. Within forty minutes, the watch for Hawaii was canceled after experts concluded there was no possibility of a devastating tsunami. The primary earthquake struck about 140 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Within forty minutes, the watch for Hawaii was canceled after experts concluded there was no possibility of a devastating tsunami.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Hawaii issued a tsunami alert after the earthquake, which struck east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, first caused tsunami warnings along sections of the Pacific coast of Russia.
According to forecasts, any waves produced by the earthquake would be quite tiny, with heights of less than 30 cm for Hawaii and up to 60 cm along the northern coastlines of Russia. Since there was no indication of a serious tsunami threat, the Russian and Hawaiian advisories were canceled after rigorous surveillance and data analysis.
What was the situation off Kamchatka?
The primary earthquake struck about 140 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
When no notable waves were detected, the warning was lifted.
Following this, there were several powerful aftershocks and foreshocks, including some with magnitudes higher than 6.0.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations issued an instant tsunami warning , advising citizens to avoid the coast. The possible waves were anticipated to be between 15 and 40 cm along the Kamchatka coast and as much as 60 cm in the northern Aleutian region.
The warning was lifted after no notable waves were detected.
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Will there be minor waves in Hawaii?
Minor variations in sea level or anomalous currents can happen even when catastrophic waves are not anticipated. This earthquake was predicted to produce waves of less than 30 cm, which are too tiny to do significant damage but sufficient to produce dangerous currents close to beaches or harbors.
What we know about Kamchatka risk zone
The Kamchatka Peninsula is situated near a significant subduction zone that frequently experiences strong earthquakes. Notably, in 1952, a magnitude 9 earthquake caused devastating tsunami waves that affected