Powerful earthquake hits Russia’s Kamchatka with over 7.0 magnitude, tsunami warning issued

The quake was reportedly at a depth of 10 km. (File Representational Photo)

A powerful earthquake struck near the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Saturday. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) put the magnitude at 7.1 and reported the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured it slightly higher at 7.4, locating the epicentre about 111.7 km (69.3 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 39.5 km.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning System, the tremor posed a possible tsunami threat. The US Tsunami Warning System also confirmed issuing a warning following the quake, The Independent reported.

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In neighbouring Japan, however, no tsunami warning has been issued. Broadcaster NHK, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency, said authorities were monitoring the situation.

More details about the quake are to follow.

The earthquake comes just days after a magnitude 8.8 quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, struck the region, according to The Independent. That earlier tremor was noted as the sixth strongest earthquake in history.

(With inputs from Reuters, The Independent)