20 Mar 2021 | 03:55 PM UTC
Russia: A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs in Kuril Islands, early March 21
A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs in Kuril Islands, Russia, at around 03:26 March 21. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurred in the Kuril Islands region of Russia at 03:26 March 21. The epicenter was about 466 km (290 miles) south of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 40 km (25 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout the impacted region. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Advice
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity.
