Evacuations Begin in Pacific Ocean Region After Major Earthquake

119 kilometers off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, following an earthquake registered at a magnitude of 8.8, waves have flooded the port of Severo-Kurilsk, damaging buildings and boats. Russian authorities report several injuries.

Tsunami alerts and evacuations have been declared in the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, and other countries. Waves over 1 meter high have already been recorded along the shores of the Hawaiian Islands, and flights to Maui have been temporarily suspended. In Japan, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, including workers from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. So far, the largest recorded wave has been 1.3 meters.

Aftershocks from the earthquake continue, the strongest being registered at a magnitude of 6.9. Russian scientists note that this is the strongest earthquake in the region since 1952. The area is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that residents of the Hawaiian Islands had been warned about the tsunami related to the powerful earthquake in the Pacific Ocean.