No Tsunami Threat to Hawaii, New Zealand After Large Earthquake Off Russia
A significant earthquake struck off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, this afternoon, but officials have confirmed that there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii or New Zealand. The quake, initially reported as magnitude 7.5, was later revised to 7.4 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Earthquake Details and Location
The earthquake struck at 4:38 p.m. (Hawaii time) near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued an advisory stating that while a tsunami threat existed for areas closer to the epicenter, Hawaii was not at risk. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter was located 70 miles east of Kamchatka at a depth of approximately 24.5 miles.
New Zealand's Assessment
A spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in New Zealand also confirmed there was no tsunami threat to the country. This assessment is based on the distance between New Zealand and the earthquake's epicenter. The quake was also registered as magnitude 7.4.
Recent Seismic Activity in the Region
This event follows a previous major earthquake in the same region just six weeks prior. In July, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded in the area, struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula. This earlier quake generated tsunamis up to 4 meters (12 feet) high across the Pacific, leading to evacuations from Hawaii to Japan.
The July Earthquake Aftermath
The July quake prompted authorities in Japan to order nearly two million people to evacuate to higher ground. Tsunami warnings were issued and subsequently rescinded or downgraded across the region. Buildings in Russia's Kamchatka region sustained damage, and several people were injured. A volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula also erupted days after the earthquake, sending ash 6km into the sky for the first time in hundreds of years.
Lessons Learned from Past Events in New Zealand
Following the July 30 earthquake, New Zealanders were cautioned by NEMA to anticipate strong sea currents along coastlines. The advisory urged individuals near the sea to move away from beaches, shorelines, harbours, marinas, rivers, and estuaries due to the potential danger of strong currents and surges. Dr. Jennifer Eccles, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland's School of Environment, explained that New Zealand's distance from the epicenter allowed for ample time to assess the threat and that the energy of any potential tsunami would dissipate significantly during its travel.
