Moscow, August 3, 2025 — A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.7 struck near the Kuril Islands in Russia’s Far East early Monday, shaking the remote volcanic chain but posing no threat of a tsunami, according to seismological authorities.
The quake occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers beneath the sea, with tremors felt along the sparsely populated island chain that stretches between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) later revised the magnitude to 7.0, while local agencies maintained a 6.7 reading.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries or damage, and emergency response agencies in the region are continuing to monitor for any aftershocks.
Authorities confirmed that despite the earthquake’s strength and proximity to the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center assessed the event and found no tsunami risk to surrounding coastal areas. Coastal communities in eastern Russia and northern Japan remained calm, with no evacuation orders issued.
The Kuril Islands are part of an active tectonic subduction zone where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the Okhotsk Plate. The region is known for generating powerful seismic events, including several major tsunamis in the 20th century. However, experts note that not all large earthquakes in this area lead to dangerous sea level changes, especially when the seismic rupture occurs primarily offshore without significant vertical displacement.
Monday’s quake serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic volatility but, in this instance, left both residents and authorities breathing a sigh of relief.
Seismologists have cautioned that aftershocks are likely over the coming days, although they are not expected to be as intense. Monitoring efforts are ongoing.
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