Earthquake of 8.8 magnitude in Kamchatka, Russia; Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant evacuated

New Delhi. Tremendous tremors of earthquake were felt in the morning in Russia’s far eastern region Kamchatka. The magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 8.8 on the Richter scale. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred under the sea, after which agencies of Japan and America have issued a tsunami watch.

A tsunami alert has been issued on the coast of Japan and California in America along with Russia. It is being said that three feet high waves can rise in the sea. This can cause devastation in many areas.

In view of the tsunami alert, heavy traffic jams can be seen in Hawaii. Local people and tourists here are leaving Hawaii after the tsunami warning. There is a possibility of sea waves of three to 12 feet high.

The Fukushima nuclear plant has been evacuated in view of the tsunami alert in Japan. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 2011 caused heavy damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In this accident, the tsunami waves disrupted the power and cooling systems of the plant, resulting in meltdown in the reactors and a situation of radioactive leakage.

There is no threat of tsunami in New Zealand and Australia at present. But people have been asked to be cautious.

Earthquakes have occurred five times this month in Kamchatka, Russia. On November 4, 1952, Kamchatka was damaged by an earthquake of 9 magnitude.

The earthquake in Kamchatka, Russia is being described as the most powerful earthquake since 1952.

Kamchatka is a peninsula of Russia, located in the Far Eastern part of Russia. It is situated on the eastern edge of Siberia along the Pacific Ocean. Geographically it is connected to the mainland of Russia and is surrounded by the Bering Sea in the north, Japan in the south and the Pacific Ocean in the east.

American Samoa, Antarctica, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Holland and Baker, Indonesia, Jarvis Island, Carmadis Island, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Midway Island, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Palmyra Island, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Taiwan, Tonga and Vanuatu can be hit by tsunami.

10 most powerful earthquakes in the world
1. Chile (1960) Richter scale: 9.5-The earthquake in Chile in 1960 was the most powerful earthquake ever. It is called the Great Chilean or Valdivia earthquake. In this, 1,655 people died and more than 20 lakh people became homeless.

2. Alaska (1964) Richter scale: 9.2- A strong earthquake occurred in Alaska, America in 1964. It is known as the Great Alaskan earthquake or Good Friday earthquake, 130 people died in this earthquake and there was a loss of 2.3 billion dollars.

3. Sumatra, Indonesia (2004) Richter scale: 9.1- In 2004, an earthquake occurred in Sumatra, Indonesia, the tsunami generated by it wreaked havoc in South Asia and East Africa, in which more than 2.8 lakh people died and 11 lakh people were displaced.

4. Tohoku, Japan (2011) Richter scale: 9.1- It is known as the Great Tohoku earthquake. This earthquake and tsunami took the lives of more than 15,000 people and 1.3 lakh people were left homeless.
5. Kamchatka, (1952) Russia Richter scale: 9.0-A massive earthquake occurred in Kamchatka, Russia in 1952. The tsunami generated by it reached Hawaii and caused losses of more than 1 million dollars.

6. Chile (2010) Richter scale: 8.8-This earthquake in Chile’s Biobio region killed 523 people and destroyed more than 3.7 lakh houses. This earthquake also originated under the sea.

7. Ecuador (1906) Richter scale: 8.8-This earthquake near the border of Ecuador and Colombia generated a massive tsunami. 1,500 people died in this natural disaster. Its waves reached San Francisco in America.

8. Alaska, USA (1965) Richter scale: 8.7- The earthquake that occurred in 1965 near the Rat Islands of Alaska brought a 35 feet high tsunami. However, this area was less populated, so the loss of life and property was limited.

9. Arunachal Pradesh, India (1950) Richter scale: 8.6- In 1950, an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 occurred in Arunachal Pradesh, India, it is known as the ‘Assam-Tibet earthquake’. This earthquake caused massive destruction. 780 people lost their lives in this disaster.

10. Sumatra, Indonesia (2012) Richter scale: 8.6- Strong tremors were felt in this earthquake off the coast of North Sumatra, although there was not much damage in this disaster and some people died due to heart attack.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this earthquake occurred at a very low depth (about 19.3 km), which has increased the possibility of strong tremors on the surface and tsunami.

According to Russia’s TASS agency, many people have been slightly injured due to the earthquake.

A tsunami alert has been issued in Japan’s Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kantos Izu and Ogasawara islands. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that one meter high waves can reach the coastal areas of Japan.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been informed about the situation and the government has called an emergency meeting and started preparations for relief and rescue operations. Earlier in July, several earthquakes have occurred in the sea near Kamchatka, one of which had a magnitude of 7.4.

Tsunami can cause devastation in Japan
At the same time, the US Tsunami Warning Center has also said that dangerous tsunami waves can reach some areas of Russia and Japan in the next three hours. Apart from this, mild waves are also expected to reach the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Palau and other islands.

Russia’s regional governor said that no one has been reported injured so far, but a kindergarten has been damaged. He described this earthquake as the most powerful earthquake in decades and asked the people living in coastal areas to immediately move to safer places.

Rescue continues in Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk city
After the threat of earthquake and tsunami, the work of evacuating people from the small city of Severo-Kurilsk in Russia’s Sakhalin region is going on. The administration is engaged in ensuring the safety of the people on a war footing. This has been confirmed by the Sakhalin Governor. Local authorities have appealed to the people to be alert, follow emergency instructions and avoid rumors.