Where is Kamchatka? The Russian Region Hit by Quake and Tsunami

Kamchatka Earthquake: Early on Wednesday, a strong 8.7-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia’s Far East triggered tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific, including in Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan. Shortly after the earthquake, the first waves were felt in northern Japan and along the coast of Russia’s Kuril Islands.

The Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its long history of seismic activity, sat near the earthquake’s epicenter. The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that the earthquake struck 250 kilometers (160 miles) from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, at a depth of 19.3 kilometers (12 miles). It hit at 8:25 AM Japan time.

After the earthquake, the Associated Press reported that authorities ordered evacuations in coastal areas as tsunami warning sirens rang out across Honolulu on Tuesday evening. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves between 1 to 3 meters above tide level could strike Hawaii, Chile, Japan, and the Solomon Islands. It urged people to take immediate action to protect lives and property. The center also predicted that parts of Ecuador and Russia could see waves over three meters high.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the first wave, about 30 cm high, reached Nemuro on Hokkaido’s eastern coast. Russia confirmed that the first wave hit Severo-Kurilsk on the Kuril Islands. Valery Limarenko, the governor of Russia’s Sakhalin region, said residents moved to higher ground. He added, “Everyone is safe. People will remain in elevated areas until we confirm there’s no second wave.”

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Why is Kamchatka a hotspot for earthquakes?

Today’s earthquake further adds to Kamchatka’s long history of seismic activity. Located in Russia’s Far East, the Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the tense “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active zone that circles the Pacific Ocean. As a result, this region experiences some of the highest earthquake activity in the world. For instance, in early July, five large offshore earthquakes struck the area, including a 7.4-magnitude quake that hit just 144 kilometers (89 miles) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Similarly, on November 4, 1952, a powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Kamchatka and triggered 30-foot (9.1-meter) waves in Hawaii. Despite the heavy destruction, the quake did not result in any reported deaths.