A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Sunday morning, leading to volcanic eruptions in the region and briefly raising fears of a tsunami.
The earthquake, which hit at a depth of 51 km (32 miles), was centered approximately 90 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a major city in the region. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake, and the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami threat that was later lifted. Local authorities did not issue a tsunami alert, and there were no reports of significant damage or injuries.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Shiveluch volcano, located about 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, erupted, spewing an ash column 5 miles into the air and releasing lava. The eruption triggered a “code red” warning for aircraft, but no commercial flights were disrupted.
Another volcano in the region, the Ebeko volcano on the Kuril Islands, also became active, releasing an ash plume 1.5 miles high. While it remains unclear if the earthquake directly caused these eruptions, the Kamchatka Peninsula is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone known for its high seismic and volcanic activity.
Several aftershocks have been recorded, but they were of lower intensity. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but no further significant threats are expected at this time.
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