A powerful earthquake rattled the ocean floor off Russia’s eastern coast on Tuesday. Its massive 8.7 magnitude quickly triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific. People in high-risk areas paid close attention, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Authorities began moving people away from coastal areas as a precaution. They watched the situation closely. Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii were among the places warned. The USGS confirmed the quake’s 8.7 magnitude. It started deep under the sea, near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
The quake’s center was about 136 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk. It was surprisingly shallow, only 19 kilometers below the surface. This shallow depth increased the chance of dangerous waves forming. People felt the ground shake strongly for at least seven minutes. It caused some minor damage in nearby spots.
In Petropavlovsk, very close to where the quake hit, parts of a kindergarten wall fell. Luckily, no children were inside at the time. All adults got out safely.
The Pacific Ocean on Alert
After the earthquake, tsunami alerts went out across parts of the Pacific. These warnings included Alaska and Hawaii. Officials there kept a close eye on the ocean. Early reports suggested waves could reach up to three meters near the quake’s center.
Japan’s national Meteorological Agency also acted fast. They issued a tsunami alert, predicting waves up to one meter high. This warning mainly covered Hokkaido island and other northern parts of Japan. The agency told people to stay away from the coast until the alert was lifted.
The Japanese agency confirmed this alert on social media. They stated, “A tsunami alert was issued on July 30 at 08:37 (23:37 GMT on Tuesday).” They added a clear warning: “Tsunamis will occur repeatedly. Do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the alert is lifted.”
Why Japan Watched Closely
In the hours that followed, special teams kept checking for aftershocks. They also looked for other impacts. While early reports didn’t show a huge disaster, experts reminded everyone. The effects of underwater quakes can change over time. Things might get worse later.
The quake happened about 250 kilometers from Hokkaido island. Even with its power, the shaking felt in Japan was slight. The NHK channel reported vibrations only reached level two on Japan’s seismic scale. This scale measures how strongly people feel a quake and its potential to damage buildings.
Cities like Kushiro, Akkeshi, Shibetsu, and Betsukai, all in southeast Hokkaido, felt slight tremors. So far, no damage to property or injuries have been reported. The tsunami alert remains in place. Officials are still watching the ocean for any changes.
Shinichi Sakai, a noted researcher from the University of Tokyo, spoke to NHK. He explained why a distant quake could still threaten Japan. He said that even far away, a shallow quake can create a strong tsunami. “When the epicenter is near the surface,” Sakai explained, “more water gets pushed around. This can happen even hundreds of kilometers away.”