M6.1 earthquake hits Kuril Islands at intermediate depth, Russia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Kuril Islands region, Russia at 10:25 UTC on December 8, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 220 km (137 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 341 km (212 miles) SW of S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia.
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.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.1 earthquake Kuril Islands – USGS – December 8, 2024
2 M6.1 earthquake Kuril Islands – EMSC – December 8, 2024
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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