Hawaii tsunami alert after 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes off Russian coast

New Delhi: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a warning for Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula after two quakes, the larger with a magnitude of 7.4, struck in the sea nearby on Sunday.

The larger quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers and was 144 kilometers east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000.

A few minutes earlier, a quake with a magnitude of 6.7 was recorded nearby.

The earthquake, confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was centered in the seismically active Kuril Islands—about 6,000–7,000 kilometers northwest of Hawaii. Local authorities in Honolulu issued an alert shortly after the quake, emphasising that while a tsunami is possible, the situation is still being evaluated and no evacuations have been ordered so far.

Advanced monitoring technology, including the NOAA’s DART buoy system, is being used to detect any changes in sea level that would indicate a tsunami. As of the latest update, no significant wave activity has been observed and no active tsunami warning has been issued, but officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid coastal areas until further notice.

The Kuril Islands region has a history of generating tsunamis, but experts note that distant earthquakes often lose energy before reaching Hawaii. The precautionary watch reflects both recent history and the lessons learned from events like the 2011 Japan tsunami, which had only minor effects on Hawaii.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and state authorities are continuing to monitor real-time sea-level data. Residents have been advised to follow local alerts, with updates expected as new information becomes available.

There is no threat to the Indian coastline from this event, but authorities in other coastal regions continue to monitor developments as part of standard global seismic response.