8.8 Magnitude Russian Earthquake Triggered Tsunami Warnings

Following a strong earthquake off the coast of eastern Russia, a tsunami advisory was issued for a large portion of the British Columbia coast.

A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate the largest earthquake ever recorded is occurring, “the U.S. National Tsunami Warning centre describes on its website, “The threat may continue for several hours after initial arrival, but significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory.”

It is recorded that a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck 36 kilometres southeast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula shortly before 4:30 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday. 

Only Five Earthquakes have been stronger than Kamchatka, Russian Earthquake since 1900

SOURCE USGS

A tsunami warning of up to 3 meters was issued by Japan’s Meteorological Agency for the country’s Pacific coast. A tsunami warning was also issued for Hawaii, describing the possibility of damage along the coastlines of all Hawaiian islands.

“The threat may continue for several hours after initial arrival, but significant inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory,” the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Centre states on its website. A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami that has the potential to cause the largest earthquake ever recorded is occurring.

In order to give people time to get ready and take action, a tsunami watch is a warning that a region may be impacted by an impending tsunami.

They are provided when it is unknown how dangerous a potential tsunami would be.

Residents of the impacted areas are asked to avoid the sea, stay away from beaches and harbours, keep an eye out for any updates from local authorities, and use phone lines as little as possible.

When circumstances and time permit, boat owners should take their craft out to sea to a minimum depth of 180 feet.