EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program is monitoring the impacts of the M8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at 23:24:50 (UTC) yesterday, and the subsequent tsunami in the Pacific Ocean. The earthquake caused some structural damage to buildings and lifelines in the Kamchatka Peninsula, and significant inundation from the tsunami occurred in the nearby community of Severo-Kurilsk. Tsunami warnings were generated for countries around the Pacific Rim, including Japan, the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and many Pacific island nations and territories. Widespread evacuations took place and are still ongoing in some locations.
The EERI community extends its sympathy to those affected. We are relieved to see that the impacts from the earthquake and tsunami appear to have been limited given the magnitude of this event.
LFE is currently evaluating the situation and consulting with partner organizations and colleagues. While we do not currently envision a major reconnaissance response, we are eager to learn any lessons from this event, including the tsunami response. If you have information to share, are part of an organization that is planning to conduct earthquake/tsunami reconnaissance, or wish to be updated on opportunities on any LFE activities or events related to this earthquake, please share contact information via the Google form here.
For more information, visit the following resources:
USGS:
Media Coverage:
- Huge quake in Russia triggers tsunami warnings around Pacific (Reuters)
- Tsunami Alert Triggers Mass Evacuations across Pacific (The Guardian)
- Earthquake Off Russia’s Coast is one of the Strongest Ever Recorded (Washington Post)
- Tsunami warnings in the US downgraded after massive quake strikes Russia’s far east (CNN)
