A powerful 7.4 earthquake has struck off the coast of Russia, with the tremor felt in Alaska, Japan, and Hawaii, prompting tsunami warnings to be issued in the region
A harrowing video has surfaced, capturing the terrifying moment Russia was hit by two potent earthquakes, including a colossal 7.4 magnitude tremor, triggering a tsunami alert for the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The footage reveals an apartment seemingly rattled to its foundations by the immense power of the quake, with the ceiling trembling and the individual believed to be filming audibly expressing his fear.
The most powerful quake occurred 90 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, shortly after a 6.7 magnitude shake was detected in the same area. The consecutive jolts led the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to issue an alert, cautioning about potential waves up to one metre above regular tide levels along certain Russian coastlines.
READ MORE: GPs to prescribe football matches for depression in groundbreaking trial
This follows on from last week’s earthquake and tsunami warning in Spain which affected British holidaymakers.
Initially, the US National Weather Service also issued a warning for Hawaii, but it was subsequently withdrawn after further analysis indicated no threat to the islands, reports the Express.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center advised that coastal regions of Hawaii and Japan could see waves approximately 0.3 metres above normal levels. Authorities called for immediate action from government bodies in vulnerable coastal areas, emphasising the need to inform and guide local communities
“Persons located in threatened coastal areas should stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities,” the agency cautioned.
According to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, towering waves of up to 60cm might hit the isolated Aleutsky District on the Commander Islands. In the Ust-Kamchatsky region of eastern Kamchatka, surges reaching 40cm were anticipated, while Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – the peninsula’s most populous southeastern area – braced for waves around 15cm.
In the wake of the earthquake, seismic readings can be erratic, and although there were no immediate reports of injuries, anxiety was palpable. The tsunami alert was officially rescinded at 9.42pm local time.