Deep M6.4 earthquake hits Tatar Strait, Russia

A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Tatar Strait, Russia at 22:54 UTC on November 30, 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 586 km (364 miles). EMSC is reporting it as M6.0 at a depth of 583 km (362 miles). Interestingly, the quake hit at the same time as M6.3 in the Chile-Argentina border region.

The epicenter was located 88.2 km (54.7 miles) SSE of Sovetskaya Gavan' (population 29 740) and 102.1 km (63.3 miles) SSE of Vanino (population 18 618), Russia.

There are about 48 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

484 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.

The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

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.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google