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Powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off Russia’s Kamchatka

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Jul 2025 06:43
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A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific.

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Lifeguards patrol next to a red and white flag used for tsunami warnings as much of coastal Japan went on alert following an 8.8 magnitude quake in the sea off eastern Russia, along Tokyo Bay in Chiba City, Chiba prefecture, on July 30, 2025. (AFP)

A massive 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday evening, prompting widespread tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific region.

The quake, which occurred at approximately 8:25 am local time (23:25 GMT), was centered about 136 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to seismological data. It is one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in the region in recent decades.

"The strongest earthquake since 1952 has just occurred in the Kamchatka seismic zone... Given the scale of the event, strong aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 7.5 should be expected," Kamchatka's geophysical service said on Telegram.

Tsunami warnings, evacuations across the Pacific

Following the earthquake, Russian authorities issued tsunami warnings along Kamchatka’s eastern coastline. Tsunami waves reaching up to four meters were observed in some coastal areas. Residents were urged to evacuate low-lying zones, and emergency sirens sounded across multiple towns and villages.

Japan, the United States, and several Pacific island nations also issued tsunami alerts. Authorities in Hokkaido and eastern Japan ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents as waves were projected to reach coastal cities. The United States’ National Tsunami Warning Center issued advisories for parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and the US West Coast, although waves there were expected to be less severe.

In New Zealand, Samoa, and other Pacific territories, precautionary alerts were also activated, with civil defense agencies urging people to avoid coastal zones and harbors until further notice.

Damage reported in Kamchatka

In the immediate aftermath, local Russian officials confirmed that buildings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and nearby areas had sustained moderate structural damage. A kindergarten and several residential buildings suffered cracked walls and broken windows. At least five people were reported injured, mainly during evacuation efforts.

Emergency teams were dispatched to assess damage and assist in relief operations. Russian seismologists warned of potential aftershocks, some of which could be powerful.

Ring of Fire

The Kamchatka Peninsula is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone that accounts for the majority of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The region frequently experiences significant seismic activity, but Tuesday’s earthquake is among the strongest since the devastating 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake, which generated a massive tsunami and killed over 2,000 people.

Earlier this month, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake also struck the area, signaling heightened tectonic instability.