A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
The quake occurred about 111 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 39 kilometers. It is the strongest aftershock recorded since the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the region on July 29.
Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning is in effect. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a caution but later withdrew it, while Japan’s Meteorological Agency also stated that there is no tsunami threat to its coastline.
The July 29 earthquake had triggered destructive tsunami waves that hit Russia’s Rybachiy naval base, home to the Pacific Fleet’s nuclear submarines. Satellite images later suggested visible damage at the site. That disaster generated waves up to four meters high, injured several people, and forced evacuations along parts of Japan’s eastern coast still haunted by the 2011 tragedy.
Kamchatka has experienced a series of strong tremors this summer, with at least five major quakes reported in July alone. Saturday’s aftershock highlights the region’s continued seismic instability.
So far, no injuries or damages have been reported from the latest earthquake, but local authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
