Russia: Magnitude-6.6 earthquake occurs off the east coast of Kamchatka March 17

Event

A magnitude-6.6 offshore earthquake occurred near Kamchatka at around 0638 March 17. The epicenter was approximately 176 km (109 miles) south-southeast of Ust-Kamchatsk. The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 22 km (13 miles) and weak shaking was probably felt in the central-eastern parts of Kamchatka. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event did not trigger any tsunami warnings.

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. If operating in affected areas, consider vacating multistory buildings until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.