Liputan6.com, Jakarta A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, early Friday, September 19, 2025.
This seismic event immediately triggered a tsunami warning for nearby coastal areas.
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The earthquake's epicenter was located off the coast of Kamchatka, about 128 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
This shallow earthquake, with a depth of about 10 kilometers, was the result of plate subduction activity in the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench.
Geologists described it as an aftershock of a larger 8.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred several months earlier in the same region.
Kamchatka regional Governor Vladimir Solodov said all emergency services had been placed in a state of high readiness, but no damage had been reported so far.
“This morning is once again testing the resilience of Kamchatka residents,” Solodov wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
“Immediately after the earthquake, we began a rapid inspection of social institutions and residential buildings.”
Details of the Strong Earthquake in Kamchatka
The earthquake that struck Kamchatka had a magnitude of 7.8 according to the USGS, although the Russian geophysical service recorded it as 7.4.
The event occurred at early morning local time.
The earthquake's relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers contributed to the intensity of the shaking, while the epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 128 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Shallow earthquakes like this often have the potential for greater impact on the Earth's surface.
Seismic activity in this region is caused by the meeting of the Pacific and Okhotsk plates.
Following the mainshock, at least five aftershocks were recorded, including one with a magnitude of 5.4.
Approximately 241,000 people felt the strong shaking, while thousands more felt moderate to mild shaking in various areas, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Tsunami Warnings and Cancellations in the Pacific
The US Geological Survey said the quake was caused by “shallow reverse faulting” at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) and was followed by a series of aftershocks, measuring up to a magnitude of 5.8.
This powerful earthquake immediately triggered a tsunami warning for nearby coastlines, including the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Japan and Alaska.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a notification regarding the potential for hazardous waves.
A similar warning was also in effect for parts of the Kuril Islands, located north of Japan.
However, several hours later, the tsunami warning for most of the region, including Hawaii, the Pacific, and the Western Aleutian Islands in Alaska, was finally canceled.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that the threat had passed.
Kamchatka: An Active Zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire
The Kamchatka Peninsula is known as one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
It lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire tectonic belt, where tectonic plates meet.
The region regularly experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making it a high-risk area for natural disasters.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov confirmed that all emergency services were on full alert to deal with potential impacts.
As of this writing, there have been no reports of significant damage to infrastructure or casualties.
Preparedness is key to dealing with natural phenomena in this vulnerable zone.
This earthquake is not an isolated incident for Kamchatka; the region has been hit by a series of powerful earthquakes in recent months, including an 8.8 magnitude quake in July that also triggered a Pacific-wide tsunami warning.