An 8.8 magnitude earthquake reached the east coast of the Kamchatka peninsula in the far eastern Russia, generating tsunamis that crossed the Pacific Ocean and caused evacuations in several countries. The tremor was the strongest since the 9.0 magnitude recorded in Japan in 2011, which caused Fukushima’s nuclear disaster. Only few tremors in history surpassed the strength of this Wednesday’s event.
The epicenter was located 119 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a Russian city of 180,000 inhabitants, at a depth of just over 20 km, according to the US geological service. Waves from 3 to 4 meters reached nearby ports, dragging boats and flooding coastal areas.
In Russia, authorities reported injured and interruption in power supply in affected areas. TV images showed water invading streets and carrying wreckage on the coast of Kamchatka.
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In Japan, where 2011 Tsunami memories remain alive, almost 2 million people were oriented to evacuate. The country’s weather agency warned that waves could reach 3 meters. Trains, ferries and flights were suspended in coastal regions. Nuclear plants operate without abnormalities, but workers from Fukushima Central were moved to high areas.
The impact spread throughout the Pacific. In Hawaii, Midway measurement atoll indicated 1.8 meter waves, and Governor Josh Green mobilized helicopters and vehicles for ransom. The west coast of the US, including California, Oregon and Washington, was placed on alert, as was the British Columbia in Canada. The first waves were recorded in California in Arena Cove and Monterey.
Countries such as Mexico, Philippines, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa issued alerts for the population to avoid beaches, marinas and coastal areas due to the risk of strong currents and sudden sea level variations.
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According to the US National Tsunamis Alert Center, the phenomenon can last for more than a day. “A tsunami is not just a wave, but a series of waves that cross the ocean to hundreds of kilometers per hour,” said Dave Snider, coordinator of the agency.
(with AFP and BBC)
