Russia ( The COW News Digital)A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s eastern city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and surrounding areas, triggering widespread fear of a potential tsunami. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for coastal residents, warning them to move to higher ground as tsunami waves could strike within minutes to an hour.
The earthquake, which occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, was described by seismologists as particularly dangerous due to its proximity to the surface. The tremors were felt across the Kamchatka Peninsula, shaking buildings and causing panic among residents.
Following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami advisory for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands but later lifted it after assessing no immediate threat to the U.S. coastline. However, the danger remains significant for Russia’s far eastern coastal regions.
Authorities in Kamchatka have activated emergency protocols, urging residents in low-lying coastal zones to evacuate immediately. “The priority is to protect lives. People must stay on higher ground until further notice,” local officials stated in a televised message.
The event has sparked heightened concern as it comes less than two months after a devastating 8.8 magnitude quake struck the same region on July 30, which generated destructive tsunami waves reaching as far as Hawaii, California, and Japan. Experts warn that repeated seismic activity in the area could indicate an ongoing tectonic shift, raising fears of additional quakes.
Emergency services are on full alert, and evacuation centers have been set up in safer inland locations. Authorities have also warned citizens to stay away from beaches and refrain from returning to their homes until the official all-clear signal is given.
As of now, no significant damage or casualties have been reported, but assessment teams are surveying the affected areas. Neighboring countries, including Japan and South Korea, are closely monitoring the situation, though no tsunami threat has been declared for their coastlines.
While Canada, the U.S., and Hawaii are not currently at risk, Russian emergency services remain on high alert as they continue to track potential wave activity in the Pacific Ocean. Residents have been advised to stay tuned to official updates and avoid spreading unverified information.
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