A massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Russia’s remote and sparsely populated far eastern coast. The earthquake struck about 85 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, according to the USGS.
The earthquake was originally labeled as an 8.0 magnitude quake, but was quickly upgraded to an 8.7.
It is the largest earthquake worldwide since the 9.0 earthquake that hit Japan in 2011.
TSUNAMI
A tsunami has hit Severo-Kurilsk in Russia’s Kuril Islands, according to reports, with flooding seen.
Tsunami warnings and watches have been issued for many areas, including Japan’s pacific coast and Hawaii. A tsunami watch has been issued for the U.S. west coast.
Alaska’s Aleutian Islands is also under a tsunami warning.
Updates can be viewed on the tsunami warnings here
