Tsunami warnings have been lifted after five powerful earthquakes, the strongest measuring magnitude 7.4, rattled the waters off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday, sparking initial fears of a destructive tsunami across the Pacific region.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the largest quake struck at a depth of 20 kilometres and was located 144 kilometres east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of about 180,000 people.
The region experienced multiple strong tremors both before and after the main event, with Russian geologists reporting over two dozen aftershocks. Authorities noted the quakes were gradually losing intensity.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) initially issued a warning for potentially dangerous tsunami waves, but later downgraded the alert and ultimately declared there was no longer a threat.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry also issued a temporary tsunami warning, urging coastal residents to avoid shorelines. No evacuations were carried out, and the ministry confirmed the danger had passed within a few hours.
In the United States, the National Tsunami Warning Centre placed Hawaii under a tsunami watch as a precaution, which was lifted later the same day without incident.
Despite the strength of the seismic activity, there were no immediate reports of injuries, fatalities, or structural damage in affected areas. Authorities continue to monitor the region for aftershocks.
Kamchatka is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Notably, on November 4, 1952, a massive 9.0 magnitude quake in the same area triggered 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii. While it caused property damage, no deaths were reported.
Sunday’s series of quakes serve as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic volatility, though the swift coordination of warnings and public advisories helped avoid panic and ensured residents remained safe.
