8.0 Earthquake Off Russia’s Kamchatka Coast Prompts Widespread Tsunami Advisories, Evacuations Underway

A powerful 8.0 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings and advisories across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, and parts of the U.S. West Coast.

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Russia earthquake, Kamchatka Peninsula quake, tsunami advisories Hawaii Alaska Japan, California tsunami watch, Pacific Ring of Fire

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A massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck late Wednesday off the coast of Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting widespread tsunami warnings and advisories across the Pacific region.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was centered about 85 miles (136 kilometers) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 19 kilometers.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian Islands, with advisories for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and coastal regions of Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency warned that waves up to one meter could reach shorelines.

In the latest update, the National Weather Service announced a tsunami watch for coastal portions of California, Oregon, and Washington.

“Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible,” the warning center said in a statement.

The Kamchatka Peninsula lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Early reports from RIA News confirmed that residents on Sakhalin Island, southwest of the epicenter, were being evacuated as a precaution. Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko confirmed those efforts.

This is a developing story. NBC Palm Springs will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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