MOSCOW ) — A devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast Wednesday, sending powerful tsunami waves into coastal areas, flooding a major fishing port, and shaking buildings across the region. Despite the intensity of the quake—the most powerful in years and among the strongest globally—damage was limited, and only a handful of injuries were reported.
Regional authorities acted swiftly, declaring a state of emergency in affected zones and initiating immediate evacuations. Their preparedness helped prevent fatalities and major destruction. Power outages and localized flooding were reported, but infrastructure remained largely intact.
The 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) Kamchatka Peninsula—nine time zones east of Moscow—faces the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Okhotsk to the west. With a population of roughly 290,000, including 162,000 in the capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the peninsula is isolated and rugged, with few roads and limited access except by helicopter. Fishing is its primary economic driver, and Avacha Bay also houses a significant base for Russian nuclear submarines.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, located on Avacha Bay’s sheltered southeast coast, avoided large tsunami waves due to its protected position. Emergency workers evacuated around 60 tourists from a black volcanic beach on the Pacific-facing side. A kindergarten sustained structural damage during the quake but was unoccupied at the time. Nearly 600 apartment buildings were inspected, and no widespread evacuations were needed.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 21 kilometers (13 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake struck at 11:24 a.m. local time (2324 GMT Tuesday) and was followed by numerous aftershocks, the strongest reaching 6.9 magnitude. The event is considered the most significant since Japan’s catastrophic 9.1-magnitude quake in 2011.
The region’s tallest volcano, Klyuchevskaya Sopka—standing at 4,750 meters (15,584 feet)—erupted in the wake of the quake. Observers reported loud explosions and visible lava flows on its western slopes. Scientists had long predicted the eruption, as lava had been filling its crater in recent weeks.
Further south, the Kuril Islands—four disputed volcanic islands between Kamchatka and Japan’s Hokkaido—were also impacted. With a population of about 20,000, the islands rely heavily on fishing and have seen increased Russian military presence in recent years. Severo-Kurilsk, the islands' main city, was hit by tsunami waves that flooded a fish factory and swept boats out to sea. Over 2,000 residents were evacuated to higher ground. Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov confirmed power outages and ongoing assessments of structural damage.
Authorities reported that tsunami waves may have reached heights of 10 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet) in unpopulated coastal zones, though most impacted areas saw waves below 6 meters (approximately 19.5 feet). Regional health chief Oleg Melnikov confirmed that a few individuals sustained minor injuries during evacuations, including a patient who jumped from a hospital window. All were reported in stable condition.
Dramatic footage shared by Russian media showed a surgical team continuing an operation as the room shook violently. In another account, tourists sailing near Antsiferov Island witnessed a group of sea lions dive into the water in panic as the quake hit. "They seemed very scared and a terrible rumble began," said tour guide Alexander Bogoslovskiy, confirming that all passengers were unharmed.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the early warning systems and rapid response, noting that evacuation protocols worked effectively and infrastructure withstood the seismic stress.
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