United States' worst tsunami fears pass, evacuations underway in South America
The quake's epicenter was just 78 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where residents felt violent shaking that Governor Vladimir Solodov called the 'strongest in decades'.
Within minutes, tsunami waves flooded Severo-Kurilsk port with 19-foot surges, sweeping away storage containers and boats.
Dramatically, surgeons in a Kamchatka cancer center continued operating as ceilings shook, later earning state award nominations . The tremor also triggered eruptions at Klyuchevskoy volcano, sending lava down its slopes.
While the U.S., Japan and Russia lifted most warnings by Wednesday evening, Chile upgraded to maximum red alert along its 2,600-mile coastline. President Gabriel Boric cautioned: 'Remember the first wave is usually not the strongest' as preventative evacuations expanded.
In Ecuador, 1.3-meter waves hit the Galapagos Islands' Baltra coast, keeping emergency protocols active . Peru closed 65 ports and restricted fishing after predicting 7.5-foot waves . Meanwhile, French Polynesia braced for 4-meter surges in the Marquesas Islands, though observed heights stayed near 1.5 meters .
Though catastrophic damage was avoided, 125+ aftershocks (including three above magnitude 6.0) continued rattling the Pacific.
The U.S. National Weather Service warned of 'stubbornly persistent' currents and fluctuating ocean levels for 24+ hours.
Scientists noted the quake occurred on a 'megathrust fault' like Japan's 2011 disaster, with Caroline Orchiston of New Zealand's University of Otago warning: 'Large aftershocks can be damaging for months'.
For now, communities from Alaska to Australia remain cautious, proof that when the earth shakes in Kamchatka, the world holds its breath.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Top 10 most powerful earthquakes in the world: Kamchatka Quake joins history's deadliest list
Earthquakes are among nature's most destructive forces, capable of reshaping coastlines and triggering tsunamis within minutes. The 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in 2025 rattled buildings, triggered Pacific-wide tsunami alerts, and revived discussions about historic seismic disasters. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this event now ranks among the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, alongside catastrophic tremors from Chile to Japan. Such high-magnitude earthquakes often leave behind widespread devastation, loss of life, and long-term environmental impact. Explore the top 10 most powerful earthquakes in history, their magnitudes, and their far-reaching consequences on human civilization. List of 10 strongest earthquakes ever in recorded history Rank Country Year Magnitude 1 Valdivia, Chile 1960 9.5 2 Prince William Sound, Alaska 1964 9.2 3 Sumatra, Indonesia 2004 9.1 4 Tohoku, Japan 2011 9.1 5 Kamchatka, Russia 1952 9 6 Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 2025 8.8 7 Maule, Chile 2010 8.8 8 Esmeraldas, Ecuador 1906 8.8 9 Rat Islands, Alaska 1965 8.7 10 Tibet 1950 8.6 World's most powerful earthquakes Valdivia, Chile – 1960 (Magnitude 9.5) The Valdivia earthquake is the most powerful ever recorded, shaking southern Chile with catastrophic force. It triggered Pacific-wide tsunamis reaching Japan and the Philippines. Over 1,600 people died, thousands were injured, and infrastructure damage was widespread. Coastal areas were permanently reshaped, and the disaster led to advances in earthquake monitoring and international tsunami warning systems, setting global standards for seismic risk management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo Prince William Sound, Alaska – 1964 (Magnitude 9.2) Known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, it lasted almost five minutes and altered large parts of the Alaskan landscape. The quake triggered massive landslides and a destructive tsunami, causing over 130 deaths and extensive property loss. It remains the most powerful earthquake in U.S. history and contributed to the development of seismic-resistant building codes and improved understanding of subduction zone earthquakes. Sumatra, Indonesia – 2004 (Magnitude 9.1) This undersea megathrust earthquake caused one of the deadliest natural disasters ever, claiming over 230,000 lives across 14 countries. The resulting tsunami devastated coastal regions of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and parts of East Africa. It displaced millions, destroyed infrastructure, and reshaped coastlines. The event sparked a global push for tsunami early warning systems, changing how nations prepare for seismic oceanic events. Tohoku, Japan – 2011 (Magnitude 9.1) Source: Britannica The Tohoku earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that inundated Japan's northeast coast, killing over 18,000 people and causing the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Thousands of homes, roads, and railways were destroyed, and entire towns were wiped out. The catastrophe led to stronger nuclear safety regulations and advancements in disaster response, making it one of the most consequential quakes of the 21st century. Kamchatka, Russia – 1952 (Magnitude 9.0) Source: Scientific Inquirer The Kamchatka earthquake struck the Russian Far East, generating a Pacific-wide tsunami with waves up to 30 feet, impacting Hawaii and Japan. Though fatalities were limited due to sparse population, property damage in coastal areas was significant. It demonstrated the seismic volatility of the Pacific Ring of Fire and prompted greater research into tectonic activity in the Russian region and beyond. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia – 2025 (Magnitude 8.8) Source: Reuters This modern quake rattled the Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific from Japan to Hawaii. Buildings swayed, evacuations ensued, and early footage showed widespread panic near the epicenter. While casualty reports are still being assessed, it's the strongest quake in Russia in over 70 years, reinforcing concerns about seismic risks in the volatile Pacific Rim and prompting renewed disaster preparedness efforts. Maule, Chile – 2010 (Magnitude 8.8) The Maule earthquake struck central Chile, killing over 500 people and damaging highways, bridges, and power infrastructure. The quake lasted 90 seconds and triggered a tsunami that destroyed coastal towns. Economic losses were immense, amounting to billions of dollars. Chile's response and recovery efforts, including rapid rebuilding, showcased its earthquake resilience and improved building code enforcement in one of the world's mostseismically active regions. Esmeraldas, Ecuador – 1906 (Magnitude 8.8) Source: BBC This powerful quake struck off Ecuador's coast, triggering a massive tsunami felt across Central America, California, and Japan. Around 1,500 lives were lost, mostly due to flooding and collapsing buildings. It remains one of the deadliest disasters in Ecuador's history. The earthquake highlighted the seismicvulnerability of the Pacific coast of South America and drove early international awareness of tsunami hazards. Rat Islands, Alaska – 1965 (Magnitude 8.7) Source: KMXT The Rat Islands earthquake hit the remote Aleutian chain, producing a 35-foot tsunami that spread across the Pacific. Due to the region's isolation, there were no mass casualties, but military installations and structures suffered damage. It reaffirmed Alaska's position as one of the most seismically active regions and provided key data for studying subduction zone quakes and associated tsunami behavior. Tibet – 1950 (Magnitude 8.6) Source: Shillong Times The Tibet-Assam earthquake devastated villages along the Tibet-India border, killing at least 780 people. It triggered landslides that buried communities and caused massive flooding when a natural dam burst days later, sending a 23-foot wall of water downstream. Its impact extended beyond immediate destruction, highlighting the dangers of seismic activity in mountainous regions prone to secondary disasters like landslides and dam collapses. Also Read | World's first rare blood group found in Bangalore woman, marking a historic medical discovery
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
United States' worst tsunami fears pass, evacuations underway in South America
A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake, tied as the sixth-strongest ever recorded, struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, triggering Pacific-wide tsunami alerts. The quake's epicenter was just 78 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where residents felt violent shaking that Governor Vladimir Solodov called the 'strongest in decades'. Within minutes, tsunami waves flooded Severo-Kurilsk port with 19-foot surges, sweeping away storage containers and boats. Dramatically, surgeons in a Kamchatka cancer center continued operating as ceilings shook, later earning state award nominations . The tremor also triggered eruptions at Klyuchevskoy volcano, sending lava down its slopes. While the U.S., Japan and Russia lifted most warnings by Wednesday evening, Chile upgraded to maximum red alert along its 2,600-mile coastline. President Gabriel Boric cautioned: 'Remember the first wave is usually not the strongest' as preventative evacuations expanded. In Ecuador, 1.3-meter waves hit the Galapagos Islands' Baltra coast, keeping emergency protocols active . Peru closed 65 ports and restricted fishing after predicting 7.5-foot waves . Meanwhile, French Polynesia braced for 4-meter surges in the Marquesas Islands, though observed heights stayed near 1.5 meters . Though catastrophic damage was avoided, 125+ aftershocks (including three above magnitude 6.0) continued rattling the Pacific. The U.S. National Weather Service warned of 'stubbornly persistent' currents and fluctuating ocean levels for 24+ hours. Scientists noted the quake occurred on a 'megathrust fault' like Japan's 2011 disaster, with Caroline Orchiston of New Zealand's University of Otago warning: 'Large aftershocks can be damaging for months'. For now, communities from Alaska to Australia remain cautious, proof that when the earth shakes in Kamchatka, the world holds its breath.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
Why do earthquakes occur?
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east, leading to tsunami warnings across several nations. This tremor is considered to be one of the world's strongest earthquakes ever read more Tsunami waves flood an area after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, in Severo-Kurilsk, Sakhalin Region, Russia. Reuters An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula today (July 30) leading to tsunami warnings across sections of Alaska, the Pacific, Japan, and Russia. Such quakes occur when tectonic plates suddenly shift, often at subduction zones. The rapid movement of these plates caused the seafloor to lift, displacing large volumes of water and generating tsunami waves that later reached coastal areas like Severo-Kurilsk. 'Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,' Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that a kindergarten was damaged due to strong tremors. The earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula was the strongest since 1952, the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences said. More from Explainers Why earthquake in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula is dangerous 'Given the scale of this event, we should expect strong aftershocks, possibly with magnitudes up to 7.5,' the Service said in a statement. But why do earthquakes occur? Let's take a closer look:
