Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake hits Kuril Islands
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit the Kuril Islands at 09:15 UTC on December 28, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 23.8 km (14.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 13 km (8 miles).
The epicenter was located 113.3 km (70.4 miles) SE of Kuril’sk, Russia, and 306.8 km (190.6 miles) ENE of Nemuro, Japan.
7 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
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.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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