8.8 quake hits Kamchatka, triggers Pacific-wide tsunami alerts; Hawaii, Japan, U.S. coastlines brace for impact. Photo/X.
Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Earthquake: A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29 trigerring a series of tsunami warnings and watches across various countries bordering the Pacific Ocean/
The earthquake is said to be ranking among the ten most powerful earthquakes ever recorded.
Shortly after the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for “hazardous tsunami waves.” Tsuanimis are expected to strike parts of the Russian and Japanese coastlines within three hours.
The earthquake’s magnitude meets the threshold of a “great earthquakes,” typically capable of causing catastrophic damage and the collapse of entire communities, according to Michigan Technological University.
Hawaii was placed under a tsunami watch at 1:33 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) while the Alaska-based National Tsunami Warning Center followed with a tsunami warning for parts of the Aleutian Islands, along with coastal regions in California, Oregon, and Washington. A tsunami advisory extended to significant stretches of Alaska’s coastline, including areas in the panhandle.
In the western Pacific, a tsunami watch was also declared for Guam and several Micronesian islands.
As experts continue to analyze data from buoys and other monitoring equipment, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System will update its assessments. The agency outlines the following alert levels:
A tsunami capable of widespread coastal flooding is either imminent or already occurring. Dangerous conditions, including powerful currents, may persist for several hours or even days. Evacuations are advised; individuals should move to higher ground or further inland, and follow guidance from local authorities.
A tsunami may generate strong waves or currents hazardous to individuals in or near the water. Minor flooding in harbors and coastal areas may occur. Residents should stay away from beaches and water bodies and heed official instructions.
A tsunami is possible following a distant earthquake. Residents should monitor updates and be ready to take action.
Tsunami Information Statement: Relax
An earthquake has occurred, but there is either no threat or the threat has not yet been determined. In most cases, no destructive tsunami is expected.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency projected tsunami waves of up to 1 metre (3.3 feet), expected to reach some coastal areas around 0100 GMT.
The Kamchatka Peninsula and Russia’s Far East lie along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of tectonic activity prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The region’s geologic instability makes it one of the most seismically active zones in the world.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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