An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck east of the Kuril Islands late Friday night, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported. The tremor occurred at 11:50 PM IST at a depth of 32 kilometers, with coordinates 50.19°N and 159.14°E.
The quake follows a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake recorded earlier this week off Russia’s far eastern coast, which is among the strongest ever recorded globally. Although there were no reported casualties, authorities remain on high alert due to continued seismic activity in the region.
According to the US Geological Survey, more than 125 aftershocks of magnitude 4.4 or higher have occurred since the initial quake. Among them, three aftershocks exceeded magnitude 6.0, with the strongest registering 6.9, just 45 minutes after the main shock.
One of the recent significant aftershocks—a 6.4-magnitude quake—was reported roughly 200 miles southwest of the main quake’s epicentre around 11 AM (local time) on Wednesday.
Seismologists warn that aftershocks are typically strongest in the first few days following a major earthquake and can continue for weeks, although they generally decrease in frequency and intensity over time.
Experts also noted that shallow quakes, like those recently experienced, are usually more dangerous than deeper ones due to the stronger ground shaking they produce near the surface.
Meanwhile, a tsunami advisory issued for Hawaii in the wake of the 8.8-magnitude quake has since been lifted. Tsunami warnings for the U.S. West Coast and Japan were also downgraded to advisories, according to CNN.
