A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kuril Islands on Wednesday, prompting a tsunami warning that was later cancelled. The US Geological Survey reported the quake at a depth of 59km, approximately 1,400km north-east of Sapporo, Japan. No casualties have been reported.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially warned of possible hazardous tsunami waves within 1,000km of the epicentre, but later stated that only very small waves were generated, with no further threat. Waves were forecast to be less than 0.3 metres above tide level.
Tsunami advisories were issued for Hawaii, Japan, Russia, and several Pacific islands, but were later cancelled. Japan’s meteorological officials issued no alerts, though they noted possible slight tidal changes.
The Kuril Islands are the subject of a territorial dispute between Russia and Japan, with the four southernmost islands claimed by both nations since World War II.
