Russia: Earthquake Of Magnitude 6.7 Jolts Kuril Islands, No Tsunami Threat

An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck Kuril Islands in Russia on Sunday, according to the German Research Center for Geosciences.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry for Emergency Services said tsunami waves were possible in areas of Kamchatka, though the expected wave heights were low. The authorities have also urged people to move away from the shore.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, however, reported there was no tsunami warning after the quake. The US Geological Survey also measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.7.

The earthquake came after the Krasheninnikov Volcano in Kamchatka erupted for the first time in 600 years. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency and scientists, ash plumes rose into the sky following the volcanic activity.

Scientists believe the earthquake and the volcanic eruption could be linked. A massive earthquake in the region triggered tsunami warnings as far away as French Polynesia and Chile last week.

That earthquake was followed by an eruption at Klyuchevskoy, the most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

The Kuril Islands is located between the Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan. They are part of a seismically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Russian scientists had warned earlier this week that strong aftershocks could strike the region in the coming weeks.

Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.

Aftershocks are generally strongest and most numerous in the hours to days after the main earthquake, decreasing in number and intensity as time goes on.

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