Major M7.8 earthquake hits Kamchatka, hazardous tsunami waves possible
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# Major M7.8 earthquake hits Kamchatka, hazardous tsunami waves possible
ByTeo Blašković Thursday, September 18, 2025Thursday, September 18, 2025
**A powerful M7.8 earthquake hit near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia at 18:58 UTC on September 18 (06:58 LT on September 19), 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.7 at a depth of 40 km (25 miles).**
Epicenter of M7.8 earthquake near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on September 18, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 145 km (90 miles) E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (population 181 216), Kamchatka, Russia.
241 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 33 000 moderate and 11 000 light.
Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters (M7.8) hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1 000 km (620 miles) of the earthquake epicenter, NWS PTWC said.
A tsunami threat exists for parts of the Pacific closer to the earthquake but it is still too early to determine whether Hawaii is under threat, the center said at 19:05 UTC. “If a tsunami threat to Hawaii is confirmed, the earliest possible arrival time is 14:51 HST on Thursday, September 18.”
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and Yellow alert for economic losses. Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Russia. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as tsunamis that might have contributed to losses.
Epicenter of M7.8 earthquake near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia