A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky region near Russia on Thursday, according to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This seismic event has prompted tsunami advisories for certain parts of Alaska, raising concerns among residents and officials alike.
Initially, a tsunami advisory was issued for the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. However, this advisory was later canceled, as stated by the USGS. In the wake of the earthquake, Vladimir Solodov, the governor of Russia's Kamchatka region, reported on Friday local time that a tsunami warning had been activated for areas off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Solodov used the Telegram messaging app to communicate the potential dangers to residents, emphasizing the need for caution, although he noted there had been no immediate reports of damage.
The U.S. National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center assured the public that there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii. Similarly, officials confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to British Columbia or other regions of Canada following this significant earthquake.
This seismic event follows a prior incident on July 30, when an 8.8 magnitude earthquake — one of the strongest ever recorded — struck Russia's Far East. That quake also triggered tsunami warnings in coastal towns across multiple countries, highlighting the geological volatility of the region.
This is a breaking news story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert and follow official announcements regarding safety measures and potential evacuations.
