Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake near Kuril Islands, Russia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit near the Kuril Islands, Russia at 23:16 UTC on October 10, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 17.5 km (10.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). This is the second M6.0 earthquake to hit the same region since 07:45 UTC on October 9 (M6.0 at a depth of 42 km / 26 miles).
The epicenter was located 148 km (92 miles) N of Severo-Kuril'sk (population 2 422), 427 km (265 miles) SSE of Vilyuchinsk (population 25 204), and 144 km (90 miles) SSE of erupting Ebeko volcano.
There are about 200 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
A total of 9 moderate to very strong earthquakes (M4.7 – 6.5) were registered in the same region between 07:45 UTC on October 9 and 05:47 UTC on October 10.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: USGS, EMSC
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