Powerful 8.8 Richter Earthquake Hits Eastern Russia Triggering Global Tsunami Warnings

A powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck the coasts of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to massive tsunami waves hitting coastal areas and sparking global warnings of an imminent disaster.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 19.3 kilometers and about 136 kilometers from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Following the earthquake, a second aftershock of 6.3 magnitude was recorded, increasing concerns of additional aftershock waves.

In the Russian region of Yelizovo, tsunami waves ranging from 3 to 4 meters high were recorded, flooding parts of the city of Severo-Kurilsk in the northern Kuril Islands, where residents were forced to evacuate immediately.

The Russian Geophysical Agency announced that this earthquake is the strongest since 1952, and indicated the possibility of continued strong aftershocks up to 7.5 magnitude for a full month.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an urgent tsunami warning for the northern and eastern coasts of the country, with expected wave heights of up to 3 meters, including Hokkaido and northern Osaka.

In Yokohama, alarm sirens sounded, workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated as a precaution, while the TEPCO company confirmed no abnormal readings at the plant.

In the United States, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency warned of a possible destructive tsunami within the next three hours.

States of emergency were declared in California, Oregon, and Washington, with beaches, ports, and coastal cities, including Huntington Beach, evacuated.

In Mexico, the government issued a maritime warning covering the western coast from Baja California to Chiapas, urging ships to stay away from ports due to expected strong ocean currents.

The first tsunami waves reached the Japanese island of Hokkaido with a height of 30 cm, amid warnings of stronger subsequent waves.

Evacuation orders were issued in several coastal areas, along with the activation of early warning systems.

In Russia, the Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that a tsunami hit Severo-Kurilsk city, causing widespread flooding.

Residents of coastal areas were evacuated based on instructions from Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov, who urged everyone via Telegram to immediately move away from the shores.

Authorities in Russia, Japan, the United States, and Mexico continue to monitor the situation minute by minute, amid extreme alertness for the possibility of recurring earthquakes or additional tsunami waves.

It is worth noting that the Kamchatka Peninsula is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world, where the tectonic plates of the Pacific Ocean converge.