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Earthquake in Russia's Far East causes tsunami in Pacific Ocean | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Earthquake in Russia's Far East causes tsunami in Pacific Ocean

Posted 30 Jul 2025

2 min read

An earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggering tsunami waves near Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

About Tsunami

  • It is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near ocean floor e.g. Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004).
  • Causes: Earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, glacier calvings, meteorites, other underwater explosions (including nuclear).
  • Tsunamis are frequently observed along the Pacific Ring of fire.
    • Ring of Fire is a belt of active and dormant volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

Characteristics of Tsunami Waves:

  • Wavelength: Their speed & wavelength primarily depends on ocean depth, not distance from the wave's source.
    • Wavelength in the deep ocean is approx. 200 km and near coast, it reduces to less than 20 km due to shoaling.
  • Wave Height (Amplitude): Not noticed by ships in deep oceans because their amplitude is negligible.
    • However when tsunamis approach shallow water, wave amplitude increases.

Consequences:

  • Socio-Economic: Destruction of property, Loss of lives and livelihoods.
  • Environmental: Destroying Mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, also leads to Soil and Water Contamination.
  • Others: Disruption of essential services, psychological stress etc.

NDMA Guidelines for Tsunami 

  • Mandate a multi-tiered institutional structure (NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs) to enhance preparedness, mitigation, and emergency response
  • Developing early warning systems, Doing hazard and vulnerability assessment
  • Effective mitigation measures e.g. Land use planning, Developing Natural buffers like bio shields, mangrove regeneration etc. & Protection of Critical Infrastructure.
  • Promoting public awareness, education, and comprehensive training across all stakeholder groups
  • Tags :
  • Kamchatka Peninsula
  • Tsunami
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