Authorities have advised the population to stay away from the coast due to waves that could be recorded in the coming hours.
After a strong earthquake struck Russia’s Far East on July 29, off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula with a magnitude of 8.8, Mexico and other countries around the Pacific Ocean issued tsunami warnings. Although the epicenter was distant, the earthquake’s power was so strong that the Ministry of the Navy and the National Civil Protection Coordination decided to issue precautionary recommendations for the entire Mexican Pacific coast.
The earthquake struck at exactly 6:56 p.m. (Central Mexico Time) and originated 19 kilometers beneath the seabed, near the Russian city of Petropavlovsk. As an immediate result, waves of up to four meters impacted some areas of Russia, such as Elizovskiy and the Kuril Islands, where evacuations were ordered and flooding was reported.
In Mexico, authorities released estimated times for the possible arrival of the first waves in different parts of the country. According to the list published by Civil Protection, in the Northwest and North Pacific, waves were expected to reach Ensenada at 2:22 a.m., Cabo San Lucas at 3:50 a.m., and Puerto Vallarta around 4:47 a.m. In other regions such as Manzanillo, Acapulco, and Salina Cruz, estimates ranged from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. on July 30.
This is one of the most intense earthquakes.
The Tsunami Warning Center of the Ministry of the Navy indicated that the tsunami warning level would remain in effect for several hours, as there is still a possibility of strong aftershocks in the Kamchatka region. In fact, the Russian seismological service warned of the possibility of further tremors of up to 7.5 magnitude, which could generate additional waves.
This earthquake is considered one of the most powerful recorded in the region since 1952. According to the United States Geological Survey, it is among the ten strongest earthquakes since instrumental records began. Therefore, countries such as Japan, the United States, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and several in Central America have activated their own tsunami warnings.
Countries Issue Tsunami Warnings Worldwide
In Japan, a 1.3-meter wave was recorded at the port of Miyagi, and more than two million people were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Hawaii canceled flights on the island of Maui, and temporary closures were ordered along the coast of Alaska. In Latin America, Ecuador evacuated areas of the Galapagos Islands, and Chile, Costa Rica, and Panama issued recommendations similar to those of Mexico.
In Mexico, although initially a low risk was reported with waves less than 20 centimeters, the forecast has been updated. It is now estimated that waves could reach between 30 centimeters and one meter on some beaches. This does not represent a destructive tsunami like the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia or the 2011 tsunami in Japan, but it can cause dangerous currents or affect small boats.
The areas under increased surveillance include Baja California, Colima, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Local authorities have reinforced their operations and urged the public to stay informed through official channels. They are advised not to enter the sea and avoid piers, jetties, or low-lying areas near the coastline.
Source: heraldodemexico
