Map of tsunami advisory showing magnitude 8 earthquake location and affected areas.
Share this @internewscast.com

A HUGE earthquake has struck the coast of Russia – strong enough to cause tsunamis, with warnings issued for the Pacific Islands.

The magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Map of tsunami advisory showing magnitude 8 earthquake location and affected areas.
Alerts are in place with people being warned to steer clear of the coast after the quakeCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Car driving on a coastal road with ocean and cliffs.
A tsunami warning is in place for Hawaii among other areasCredit: Getty

It occurred about 84 miles off Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST (12:30am BST).

The quake was shallow and strong enough to cause waves or a tsunami.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was at a depth of 19.3 km (12 miles).

A tsunami with a wave height of 3-4 metres was recorded in Kamchatka, Russia’s regional minister for emergency situations warned.

The Governor of the Kamchatka Territory, Vladimir Solodov, has issued an alert advising residents to maintain a safe distance from the coast following an earthquake described as “the strongest in decades.”

No injuries have been reported so far, but a nursery has been damaged.

Locals in the small town of Severo-Kurilsk are being evacuated.

“Today’s tremor was significant and unmatched in recent memory,” stated Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov in a video shared on the Telegram messaging platform.

Shortly after the quake hit, another struck the Kamchatka Peninsula with a magnitude of 5.51.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for Alaska, Hawaii, Russia and Japan as a result.

The Japan Weather Agency said it expected a tsunami of one meter (3.28 feet) to reach large coastal areas starting at around 10am local time.

Authorities warned people not to go into the sea and stay away from the coast.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also issued a warning of “hazardous tsunami waves” within the next three hours along some coasts of Russia and Japan.

This announcement follows the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s alert regarding a potential tsunami risk to Russia after three earthquakes last week, with the most intense registering a magnitude of 7.4.

The largest quake up until now hit around 89 miles east of east of the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – 12 miles below the seabed.

A slightly smaller earthquake of 6.7 struck just minutes earlier, along with a third 5.0 magnitude quake.

There were fears Hawaii would also be impacted – but an island-wide tsunami warning was later withdrawn.

Alerts were also issued for Guam and American Samoa.

The USGS had warned of possible “hazardous tsunami waves” within 300 kilometres of the epicentre in the Pacific.

And residents in Russia had been urged to get to higher ground.

Map showing tsunami warning for Kamchatka Peninsula following two earthquakes.
It comes after The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned of a tsunami threat to Russia following three earthquakes earlier this monthCredit: tsunami.gov

What are tsunamis and how do they occur?

Tsunamis are immensely forceful natural calamities, characterized by a massive wave that rushes toward land, unleashing widespread devastation.

The killer waves can reach up to 100ft and are capable of decimating towns – here we look at what a tsunami is and how to survive one.

A tsunami, also called a seismic wave, is a series of waves caused by the movement of a large body of water.

They are mostly caused by earthquakes at the boundaries of tectonic plates, deep under water.

The movement of the plates at their boundaries cause a dramatic reaction in the water above which result in large waves.

Seemingly harmless waves can sometimes only be 30cm high in the open ocean, so go unnoticed by sailors.

But as it reaches shallower waters, the wave is slowed and the top of it moves faster than the bottom, causing the sea to dramatically rise.

This wall of water can be strong enough to push boulders and collapse buildings, destroying entire areas on the coast.

Known also as tidal waves, the term tsunami originates from Japanese, meaning “harbor wave,” a term used by fishermen who found their coastal communities destroyed by massive waves unseen at sea.

Tsunamis can cause the sea levels to rise by as much as 30 metres, although they usually cause a rise averaging three metres.

The majority of tsunamis, approximately 80 percent, occur within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates shift vigorously, resulting in frequent seismic activity.

A tsunami can be formed in a number of different ways but usually there are three things that have to happen.

An earthquake must measure at least 7.0 on the Richter scale, this moves the water with enough force to build the tsunami wave at sea.

Secondly the sea bed must be lifted or lowered by the earthquake, this is often where the earth’s tectonic plates meet which allows the movement.

Finally, the epicentre of the earthquake must be close to the Earth’s surface, meaning the quake can impact things on the surface rather than deep in the earth’s crust.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, landslides, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above or below water can potentially generate a tsunami.

While normal waves are caused by the winds as well as the moon and the sun, a tsunami is always caused by the displacement of a large body of water.

The term tidal wave is technically incorrect as tsunamis are not impacted by the tidal pull at all.

As the wave builds, travelling towards land, the height builds from the faster movement at the top of the wave.

This continues to pull in water until it crashes, unleashing destruction in its path.

Retreating sea water on the coast is one of the major warning signs that a tsunami is about to hit, although it only gives a warning of about five minutes.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Source of 'UFO' panic, drone mystery claims responsibility for frenzy: report

Mystery Solved: Drone Operator Admits Responsibility for Recent UFO Panic

A private aerial contractor has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the…
Federal Court Upholds School Ban on "Let's Go Brandon" Shirts

Federal Court Ruling Supports School’s Ban on Controversial ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Apparel

A federal appellate court has upheld a ban on “Let’s Go Brandon”…
Doug Martin, Bay Area-born NFL star, former Boise State and Oakland Raiders running back, dies at 36, family says

Bay Area NFL Alum and Former Raiders Running Back Doug Martin Passes Away at 36

In a somber announcement, the family of Doug Martin, the former standout…
FAA says air traffic controller staffing issues cause delays amid shutdown

FAA Blames Air Traffic Delays on Staffing Shortages During Government Shutdown

The ongoing government shutdown, now dragging into its 20th day, has resulted…
Sapelo Seven monument in Jacksonville

Discover the Inspiring Story Behind the Sapelo Seven Monument in Jacksonville

A year has passed since the tragic incident where seven lives were…
Truck hits parked van in Midtown Manhattan, pushing vehicle onto sidewalk and injuring 9

Midtown Manhattan Collision: Truck Crashes into Parked Van, Injures 9 as Vehicle Mounts Sidewalk

In a startling event on Monday, a truck collided with a parked…
Demolition starts at White House East Wing to make way for Trump's ballroom

Historic Transformation: White House East Wing Undergoes Demolition for Trump’s Grand Ballroom Vision

Trump has announced plans for an expansive 90,000-square-foot ballroom, citing the East…
Florida AG Uthmeier subpoenas Roblox over child safety

Florida Attorney General Uthmeier Subpoenas Roblox to Investigate Child Safety Concerns

“We are unwavering in our mission to safeguard Florida’s children, and any…
Suspect in 2021 restaurant murder acquitted

2021 Restaurant Murder Case: Suspect Walks Free After Acquittal

Jacksonville authorities arrived at the scene of a shooting at the Hyatt…
Georgia man arrested for allegedly shooting at North Carolina home after tearing down Trump banner

Georgia Resident Arrested for Alleged Gunfire at North Carolina Home Following Trump Banner Removal

Authorities have apprehended a Georgia man accused of tearing down a Trump…
Beaches Branch library to temporarily close for HVAC replacement

Beaches Branch Library Announces Temporary Closure for HVAC System Upgrade

The Beaches Branch Library is preparing for a temporary shutdown lasting about…
'Tragedy averted' at Atlanta Airport as police arrest man with AR-15 allegedly threatening to 'shoot it up'

Swift Police Action Foils Potential AR-15 Attack at Atlanta Airport: Tragedy Averted

A Georgia man was apprehended on Monday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International…