8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

WORLD, July 30 (YPA) – A powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck off Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific, from Hawaii and Alaska to New Zealand

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), The quake was centered about 119 kilometers (74 miles) east-southeast from the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The quake struck at a depth of 20 kilometers.

Strong aftershocks followed the main quake, with magnitudes of 6.9 and 6.3 recorded in the region. Authorities have issued tsunami alerts as a precaution.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has called for the immediate evacuation of coastal areas in Hawaii, while tsunami warnings were also issued for coastal regions of Russia, Japan, Alaska, and the US Pacific Coast.

Officials are monitoring the situation closely as residents in affected areas prepare for potential waves and aftershocks.

@E.Y.M