MAGADAN, RUSSIA – A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East early Friday, causing buildings to shake and prompting a tsunami warning that was later lifted, AFP reports.
Videos shared on Russian social media showed furniture and light fixtures shaking inside homes. Another video showed parked cars swaying on the side of the street.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake hit 128 kilometers (80 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital, at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles).
However, Russia’s state geological service measured the quake at 7.4 magnitude, followed by five aftershocks.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had issued a warning for dangerous waves in the surrounding coastal areas, but it was withdrawn several hours later.
Regional Governor Vladimir Solodov stated on Telegram, “Today’s (Friday’s) event once again tested the resilience of the residents of Kamchatka. No damage has been reported so far.” He urged everyone to remain calm.
The Kamchatka Peninsula lies on the “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active tectonic belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its susceptibility to tsunamis and earthquakes. In July, a mega-earthquake of 8.8 magnitude off the coast of this region caused a tsunami that swept away a coastal village and triggered warnings across the Pacific.
