8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia, tsunami and

No major damage but many injured in Russia, traffic jam in many places, flood on coasts.

Tokyo:One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, measuring 8.8, struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, triggering high tsunamis in Japan, Hawaii and the US West Coast. No major damage has been reported so far, but people have been warned to stay away from the coastlines as the threat may last for a day or two. Officials said the quake appears to be the world’s most powerful earthquake since March 2011.

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday sent people rushing to safer places in ports near the epicentre, blocking roads and highways in the provincial capital. Traffic was halted even in areas far from the coastline. Foamy, white waves washed up on the coast in northern Japan. In Japan, people rushed to evacuation centres amid bad memories of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The Fukushima nuclear power plant was monitored here, but there was no disruption in its operation. Russia has reported several people injured but has not disclosed the number. Japan has reported only one injured. Flood warnings have been issued on beaches and ports. Agency

Waves hitting a deserted beach in Shirahama, Wakayama province in western Japan, before a tsunami warning. Agency

10 to 13 feet high sea waves submerged nearby buildings

During the tsunami, waves of 10 to 13 feet rose in the Kamchatka Peninsula, about 2.8 feet in Japan’s northern island Hokkaido, and 1.4 feet (less than 30 cm) above the tide level in Alaska’s Onusian Islands. An alert was issued in Hawaii and Oregon. A few hours after the earthquake, Hawaii lowered the tsunami warning. Japan’s Meteorological Agency also lowered its warning on the Pacific coast south of Fukushima. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the 8.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 20.7 km. This earthquake occurred about 119 km from the Russian city of Petropavlovka Kamchatka. Several powerful tremors were felt in this area with a population of 1.80 lakh after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

Warning tsunami in America

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said, the waves can be big or small but we have kept the ‘Black Hawk’ helicopter ready and if needed, they will be used in the rescue operation. The Oregon Emergency Management Department said, this is not a big tsunami, but strong waves can pose a threat to those living near the sea. Tsunami warning has also been issued in most parts of the western coast of Canada’s British Columbia province, Washington and California in the US.

Its meaning for India and other countries

Even though India does not fall in the ‘Ring of Fire’, this seismic activity increases the risk of geological imbalance at the global level. Tectonic pressure may also increase in the Indian Ocean region. Cyclonic and climate abnormalities can be seen in the coming weeks. Seismological research centres have also recommended keeping a watch on the north-eastern states of India and the Himalayan belt.

Fear of a dangerous tsunami every two years

A destructive local tsunami occurs every 1-2 years in the region, while in the Mediterranean the probability of a tsunami in the next 30 years is almost 100 per cent. This global risk now appears to be more immediate and real.

Buildings started shaking in Russia

In Russia, Severokurilsk Mayor Alexander Oshyannikov said that the city’s port was flooded and fishing boats were swept away into the sea. There was no major damage in the city, but power supply was disrupted after the flood. The tsunami warning disrupted the transport system in Japan. The operation of boats, trains and planes in the affected area was disrupted. In Russia, shelves fell inside houses, mirrors broke, buildings and cars started shaking violently.

UNESCO gave earthquake -tsunami warning 9 months ago

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake and the subsequent tsunami in the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East of Russia brought back memories of the appeal made nine months ago, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged governments and policy makers around the world to increase investment in tsunami prevention preparations. UNESCO had also said that in the coming months, earthquakes and tsunamis could pose a major threat to the Pacific Ring of Fire.

According to The Guardian, UNESCO had issued a global warning 9 months ago that the threat of tsunami on coastal populations could increase unexpectedly in the next few years. Currently, 70 crore people live in such coastal areas that can be hit by tsunamis.

The powerful earthquake of 88 magnitude in the Kamchatka Peninsula has once again brought the Pacific Ring of Fire to the center of global concern. This region is already considered to be the most seismic and volcanic area on Earth. The Pacific Ring of Fire is the area of the Earth where the activities of tectonic plates are the most intense. This area surrounds the Pacific Ocean in the shape of a horse’s shoe and is about 40,000 km long.