A tsunami warning has been issued for Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Hawaii following two powerful earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean early Sunday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has confirmed. 

The larger quake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, struck at a depth of 20km, approximately 144km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a key port city on the Kamchatka Peninsula with a population of 180,000.

It was preceded minutes earlier by a 6.7-magnitude tremor in the same region, raising concerns of a broader seismic sequence along the volatile tectonic boundaries of the northwestern Pacific. 

The PTWC warned that the quakes could generate hazardous tsunami waves, potentially impacting coasts within 300km of the epicenter. Coastal areas of Russia’s Far East and parts of Hawaii are on high alert, with emergency authorities urging residents to avoid low-lying areas as a precaution.

In Kamchatka, local officials are assessing the situation, while Hawaii’s emergency management teams have activated preparedness measures to evaluate the tsunami risk to the U.S. state.

Seismologists are closely monitoring for aftershocks or further seismic activity in the region, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  There are no immediate reports of damage or casualties, but authorities in both regions are urging vigilance as the situation develops.

The PTWC continues to monitor the threat and will provide updates as more data becomes available. (ILKHA)