A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands region of Russia on December 8, 2024, at 10:25 UTC. The earthquake occurred at an intermediate depth of 220 km (137 miles), with the epicenter located approximately 341 km (212 miles) southwest of Severo-Kuril’sk in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia.
The event has been widely reported by both the USGS and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), both confirming the magnitude and depth of the quake. Despite the strong tremor, no tsunami threat has been issued.
The USGS has issued a Green alert, indicating a low likelihood of fatalities and economic losses. While the region has a history of seismic activity, much of the population resides in structures designed to withstand earthquake shaking. However, some vulnerable buildings, particularly adobe block and unreinforced brick structures with mud construction, remain in the area.
Seismic events in the Kuril Islands are not uncommon due to the region’s position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity is frequent. Despite the magnitude of this event, the lack of a tsunami threat and the overall resilience of buildings in the area contribute to a relatively low risk of significant damage.
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