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A powerful series of earthquakes rattled Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday, setting off tsunami warnings and sparking widespread concern across the Pacific region.

Twin Quakes Rattle Kamchatka Within Minutes

The seismic activity began with a magnitude 6.6 earthquake, striking just off the Kamchatka coast at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The tremor, initially reported as a 6.2, marked the start of an intense seismic sequence.

Shortly after, a second, more powerful quake hit the same region. Originally recorded at 6.7, the magnitude was later upgraded to 7.4 by both GFZ and the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

Epicenter Located Near Key Pacific City

The epicenter of the stronger quake was located about 144 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city home to around 180,000 residents. This quake struck at a depth of 20 kilometers, increasing its potential impact.

In the hours that followed, multiple aftershocks were recorded, including another strong tremor measuring 6.7 in magnitude, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The series of jolts concentrated around 140 kilometers offshore, near the region’s Pacific edge.

Tsunami Warnings Issued — and Later Withdrawn

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center quickly responded to the seismic activity by issuing a tsunami threat for parts of Russia’s eastern coastline. At the same time, a tsunami watch was declared for Hawaii, which was later withdrawn, according to Reuters.

The USGS issued an alert warning that "hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 300 kilometers of the epicenter" in the Pacific Ocean, prompting heightened awareness across the region.

Earlier Tremors Hint at Growing Unrest

Before the major events, Kamchatka had already experienced moderate earthquakes — including 5.0 and 6.7-magnitude tremors — that did not initially trigger tsunami warnings. However, these earlier shocks foreshadowed the powerful seismic surge that would soon follow.

A Seismic Hotspot With a Violent Past

Kamchatka lies on the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, one of the most geologically active zones on Earth. This volatile location makes the region prone to powerful quakes and volcanic activity.

Since 1900, at least seven earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or higher have rocked Kamchatka. Among them, the most significant was on November 4, 1952, when a magnitude 9.0 quake struck offshore. Though it caused considerable damage in Russia, it resulted in no reported deaths—even after generating 30-foot (9.1-meter) tsunami waves that hit Hawaii.

What Comes Next?

As aftershocks continue to ripple through the region, authorities remain on high alert. Residents near the epicenter and across the Pacific are bracing for further tremors or secondary tsunami threats.