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Huge earthquake rocks the Far East of Russia

By 0 and 0 and 0
30 January 2016

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Citizens of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky  - with a population of 179,780 -  experienced 5.0-magnitude earthquake shocks. Picture: Vadim Bikmuhametov

There were no initial reports of casualties from the quake, which struck around 106 kilometres (66 miles) north of regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 159 km (99 miles), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) which put the tremor at magnitude 7.0.

The main earthquake was followed by a 5.2 magnitude aftershock. The local branch of the Russian Emergencies Ministry said: 'The epicentre was located in the region of Yelizovo, 84 km northwest of Yelizovo and 87 km northwest of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Inhabitants of populated areas felt the tremor at magnitude of 5.0.'

Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of Russian Academy of Sciences said that citizens of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - with a population of 179,780 -experienced 5.0-magnitude earthquake shocks, reported Interfax.

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'The epicentre was located in the region of Yelizovo, 84 km northwest of Yelizovo and 87 km northwest of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.' Pictures: Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Residents of Yelizovo and Vilyuchinsk also felt the earthquake. 'Preliminary information indicates the earthquake caused no damage or casualties,' said the Emregencies Ministry statement.

The quake struck in an area close to the so-called Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines that circle the Pacific Ocean which is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The National and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers said there was no risk of a tsunami.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0- 7.9 are considered major and can cause severe damage. Quakes with a magnitude of 5.0-5.9 are considered to be moderate.

Comments (1)

Pretty close to us here in Alaska where we just had a 7.1 quake.
Dan, Anchorage AK
02/02/2016 09:54
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