A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 hit off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, causing the southern part of the land to sink nearly two meters (about six feet). Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) confirmed this major shift and said it was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.
The earthquake’s center was about 74 miles from the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It also triggered a tsunami that spread across the Pacific Ocean, reaching as far as Hawaii and forcing emergency evacuations in many areas.
Thankfully, no deaths were reported. However, the tsunami caused some damage to port areas and a fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk. Even though the physical damage was not very large, scientists said the earthquake had a strong impact on the land.
In the days after the quake, a volcano in the same region — the Krasheninnikov volcano — erupted after staying quiet for around 600 years. This showed how active and dangerous the area still is. Kamchatka lies in the “Ring of Fire,” a region known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Scientists said that parts of Kamchatka also moved sideways, up to two meters, which is similar to the 2011 Japan earthquake that caused a massive tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
RAS director Danila Chebrov said the land in Kamchatka also dropped slightly in height, but there is no serious danger for now. On Monday, scientists recorded seven more small earthquakes in the region, showing that aftershocks are continuing.
Experts say the situation is a reminder of how important it is to stay prepared in areas near the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.
