A powerful earthquake has struck Russia’s Kuril Islands, with different agencies reporting varying magnitudes for the tremor.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) initially measured the quake at magnitude 6.35 before revising it to 6.7 at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake as a magnitude 7.0 event.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, which aligned with the USGS’s magnitude reading, said there was no tsunami threat following the quake.

The tremor hit the remote Kuril Islands, a volcanic chain in Russia’s Far East known for frequent seismic activity as part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, with the area’s sparse population and remote location likely limiting the impact. Local authorities are monitoring the situation, while seismologists continue to assess the risk of aftershocks.

The Kuril Islands are regularly affected by earthquakes due to their position along a tectonic subduction zone. (ILKHA)