A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kuril Islands on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey reported, initially prompting a tsunami warning that was later withdrawn. The quake occurred at a depth of 59km (37 miles), approximately 1,400km north-east of the Japanese city of Sapporo, with no immediate reports of casualties.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 1,000km of the epicentre, noting that past earthquakes of similar strength had generated tsunamis far from the epicentre. However, the centre later stated that 'only very small tsunami waves were generated by this earthquake and there is no further threat'. Forecasts indicated waves of less than 0.3 metres above tide level for coasts in Hawaii, Japan, Russia, and several Pacific islands.
Japanese meteorological officials issued no alerts, though they noted the possibility of slight tidal changes. A tsunami watch for Hawaii was also cancelled. The Kuril Islands, particularly the four southernmost islands, remain disputed between Russia and Japan since the end of the Second World War.
