Russia: Robust 6 magnitude earthquake strikes close to Severokurilsk following latest seismic exercise

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale struck Russia on Saturday night. The earthquake occurred at 7:34 PM native time close to Severokurilsk, situated 267 kilometres southeast of the epicentre, as reported by the USA Geological Survey (USGS). The tremors had been felt in a number of areas of Russia, significantly within the neighborhood of the Kuril Islands.

Particulars of the earthquake

In response to the USGS Earthquake, the earthquake’s epicenter was located within the Sea of Okhotsk, off the japanese coast of Russia. The quake occurred at a depth of round 10 kilometers, which is taken into account comparatively shallow and may result in extra intense floor shaking. Whereas there have been no fast experiences of casualties, the robust tremors prompted native authorities to evaluate potential harm.

Historic context: Current earthquakes in Russia

This latest earthquake in Russia follows a collection of seismic occasions within the area. On July 30, 2024, a particularly highly effective earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck the Kamchatka Peninsula, one of many largest quakes of the yr. The quake triggered a tsunami warning throughout the Pacific coast, together with Japan, the USA, and Chile. The Kamchatka earthquake was among the many world’s high 10 largest earthquakes and brought on widespread panic.

Following the July 30 earthquake, the area has been experiencing a collection of aftershocks, together with one other quake with a magnitude of 6.0 that hit the identical space. These aftershocks have added to the continuing seismic exercise, prompting steady monitoring from native authorities and world companies

What causes earthquakes?

Earthquakes are primarily brought on by the motion of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s floor. These plates are in fixed movement, and once they collide, slide previous one another, or separate, the power launched causes seismic waves, which outcome within the shaking of the bottom. Earthquakes usually happen alongside fault strains, the place tectonic plates meet, and the power exerted throughout these actions is highly effective sufficient to trigger harm on the Earth’s floor.

How is earthquake depth measured?

The depth of an earthquake is measured utilizing the Richter scale, which ranges from 0 to 10. Right here’s how it’s categorized:

• 0.0 to 1.9: No noticeable tremor.
• 2.0 to 2.9: Minor shaking, not normally felt.
• 3.0 to three.9: Noticeable shaking, just like a heavy automobile passing by.
• 4.0 to 4.9: Gadgets could fall off cabinets, with minor harm.
• 5.0 to five.9: Robust shaking, furnishings could transfer, reasonable harm.
• 6.0 to six.9: Extreme shaking, buildings could crack or maintain harm.
• 7.0 to 7.9: Main harm to buildings, danger of collapse.
• 8.0 to eight.9: Tsunami danger, widespread destruction.
• 9.0 and above: Catastrophic, extreme harm to constructions, floor shaking clearly felt over huge areas.