7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia, Tsunami Warning Issued

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia, Tsunami Warning Issued

Russia Earthquake: There are currently no reports of damage. (Representational)

Moscow:

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck off Russia's eastern Kamchatka peninsula coast early Friday, causing buildings to shake and prompting officials to issue tsunami warnings.

Russian social media featured videos showing household furniture and lighting fixtures trembling, while another video captured a parked vehicle swaying on a street.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake hit 128 kilometres (80 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region's capital, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (six miles).

Russia's state geophysical service branch in the area reported a slightly lower magnitude of 7.4 and documented at least five aftershocks following the main tremor.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts warning of potential dangerous waves along coastlines in the vicinity.

"Kamchatka residents' resilience is being tested once again this morning," stated Vladimir Solodov, the region's governor, via Telegram.

"Currently, no damage has been reported. I urge everyone to remain calm... A tsunami warning has been issued for the peninsula's eastern coast. The public is being notified," he continued.

The Kamchatka peninsula is situated on the seismically active Ring of Fire, a tectonic belt encircling most of the Pacific Ocean known for significant earthquake activity.

In July, the region experienced an 8.8-magnitude mega-earthquake offshore that triggered tsunami waves which swept away part of a coastal village.