Powerful Earthquake Strikes Off Russia’s Kamchatka Coast, Tsunami Threat Issued

A strong earthquake struck near the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Saturday, prompting a tsunami alert for parts of the Pacific.

The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) measured the quake at magnitude 7.1 with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it as a magnitude 7.4 at a depth of 39.5 kilometres.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System said the tremor posed a potential tsunami threat, though Japan’s Meteorological Agency confirmed no warning had been issued for its coasts. Broadcaster NHK reported that authorities in Japan were continuing to monitor the situation closely.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which struck in a seismically active region known for producing some of the world’s most powerful earthquakes.