Strong M6.7 earthquake hits Kuril Islands, Russia
A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.7 hit Kuril Islands, Russia at 12:47 UTC on December 27, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 160 km (100 miles). USGS and EMSC have also registered it as M6.7 at the same depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 380 km (236 miles) ENE of Kuril’sk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, and 650 km (406 miles) NE of Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan.
Based on all available data, NWS PTWC said there was no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.7 earthquake Kuril Islands – USGS – December 27, 2024
2 M6.7 earthquake Kuril Islands – EMSC – December 27, 2024
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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