World Desk

A massive earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves that flooded a fishing port and cut power in some areas. However, authorities reported only minor injuries and no major structural damage, crediting preparedness measures for preventing a larger disaster.

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit near the Kamchatka Peninsula—an area often referred to as Russia’s “land of fire and ice” due to its volcanic activity. Local officials declared a state of emergency in some areas but said the impact was less severe than initially feared.

Kamchatka Peninsula: volatile yet resilient

Kamchatka, located nine time zones east of Moscow, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, home to around 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are active. The peninsula, which faces the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk, is sparsely populated, with about 162,000 residents in its regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Fishing is the region’s main industry, and limited infrastructure means helicopters are often the only way to access remote areas. Authorities said the geography helped shield Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from the brunt of the tsunami, as its position within Avacha Bay offered natural protection.

Observers noted visible eruptions and lava flows from Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the tallest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, following the quake.

Strategic military installations unharmed

Kamchatka also hosts Vilyuchinsk, a key Russian naval base housing advanced Borei-class nuclear submarines and other nuclear-powered vessels. Though the earthquake raised concerns about potential damage to these sensitive facilities, the Defense Ministry has not reported any issues.

Experts noted that the base was designed with seismic threats in mind. Retired navy Captain Vasily Dandykin said the base’s infrastructure could withstand powerful quakes and posed no risk to Russia’s nuclear assets.

Media reports suggest Vilyuchinsk may eventually house submarines equipped with the Poseidon torpedo—an intercontinental nuclear-armed system designed to trigger underwater radioactive tsunamis. President Vladimir Putin said last year that Poseidon trials were nearing completion.

The Kuril Islands and regional readiness

The Kuril Islands, stretching between Kamchatka and Japan, also felt the impact. The islands, long disputed between Russia and Japan, house around 20,000 people and rely on fishing. In Severo-Kurilsk, tsunami waves as high as 6 meters flooded the fishing port and swept boats out to sea.

Despite this, authorities reported no casualties on the islands. Russia has recently upgraded military installations in the Kurils, including air bases and other infrastructure.

Details of the quake

The earthquake struck at 11:24 a.m. local time Wednesday, about 120 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 21 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Several aftershocks followed, with magnitudes reaching up to 6.9.

Officials said their long-standing preparedness for a major earthquake paid off. While some injuries occurred—including a hospital patient who jumped from a window—none were life-threatening. No serious damage was found in residential buildings after inspections.

While considered one of the strongest earthquakes since the 2011 Japan quake and tsunami, Russian authorities credited their readiness and regional geography for sparing the population from large-scale destruction.

Source: Agency