A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7 struck the Pacific Ocean northeast of Severo-Kurilsk on July 30th, triggering a tsunami threat and causing damage in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin regions. The earthquake, the strongest since 1952, has prompted evacuations and increased emergency response efforts.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported the earthquake occurred at 10:30 local time, 360 km northeast of Severo-Kurilsk. Seismologists have described the event as “outstanding.” Tremors of magnitude 7-8 were felt in some areas of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, while Sakhalin experienced tremors up to 5-6 points.

A tsunami threat was immediately announced, with a small wave observed around 12:00. The Ministry of Emergency Situations initially warned of a wave up to 32 centimeters high, while a specialist at the Phobos center indicated the potential for waves up to 3-4 meters in the Kuril Islands. The Kamchatka branch of the unified geophysical service of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported a “dangerous strong tsunami” observed on the coast of Kamchatka in Severo-Kurilsk.

Three tsunami waves struck the coastal zone of Severo-Kurilsk, flooding ports and coastal factories. Several ships were reportedly torn off their moorings and carried into the strait. Almost 300 people were evacuated from the port in Severo-Kurilsk, and according to operational services of the region, they do not need medical assistance.

Strong aftershocks, with a magnitude of up to 7.5, are expected to continue for at least another month. These aftershocks could cause oscillations with an intensity of V–VI points in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and potentially trigger dangerous tsunamis.

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional Ministry of Health reported an increase in ambulance calls. While most patients complained of high blood pressure and arrhythmia, one woman was injured in the airport building in Kamchatka, and her condition is satisfactory. There were also reports of traffic jams and people leaving the city.

While most buildings in Kamchatka remained standing, the facade of a kindergarten under renovation collapsed. Fortunately, there were no deaths or injuries reported. In the Sakhalin region, some destruction of stove pipes and partial power supply disruptions were recorded.