8.8 points and alarm across the Pacific
World
A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30. The seismic event triggered a tsunami, strong aftershocks, and a volcanic eruption. States of emergency were declared, with tsunami alerts issued as far as Hawaii and Japan.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicenter was located 119 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 20 km. Russian scientists have identified it as the most powerful earthquake in the region since 1952.
The Russian Academy of Sciences reported the rupture spread more than 200 km southwest along the deep-sea trench. Ground shaking intensity in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky reached level VI on the Modified Mercalli scale.
Significant aftershocks followed, with magnitudes of 6.9 and 6.3. Experts warn that aftershocks may continue for at least a month, with potential quakes reaching up to magnitude 7.5.
Tsunami activity was recorded along the Kamchatka coast, with waves reaching up to 200 meters inland in some areas. A state of emergency was declared in Severo-Kurilsk, where residents were evacuated to higher ground. No casualties have been reported.
Simultaneously, the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano — the tallest active volcano in Eurasia — erupted. Lava flows and explosions were observed on its western slope.
International response followed quickly. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. Pacific coast. Japanese authorities also issued an evacuation alert, with wave activity reaching up to 50 cm in some ports and the threat of repeated waves continuing.
The Russian Academy of Sciences reported the rupture spread more than 200 km southwest along the deep-sea trench. Ground shaking intensity in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky reached level VI on the Modified Mercalli scale.
Significant aftershocks followed, with magnitudes of 6.9 and 6.3. Experts warn that aftershocks may continue for at least a month, with potential quakes reaching up to magnitude 7.5.
Tsunami activity was recorded along the Kamchatka coast, with waves reaching up to 200 meters inland in some areas. A state of emergency was declared in Severo-Kurilsk, where residents were evacuated to higher ground. No casualties have been reported.
Simultaneously, the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano — the tallest active volcano in Eurasia — erupted. Lava flows and explosions were observed on its western slope.
International response followed quickly. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. Pacific coast. Japanese authorities also issued an evacuation alert, with wave activity reaching up to 50 cm in some ports and the threat of repeated waves continuing.
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