A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit 128 kilometers (80 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital.

It occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), which made the tremors more intense and widely felt. Russia’s state geophysical service later gave a slightly lower reading of 7.4 magnitude. Officials also confirmed at least five aftershocks following the initial quake.

Tremors Capture on Video

Shortly after the quake, videos flooded Russian social media. One clip showed furniture and light fixtures shaking violently inside homes. Another video captured a parked car rocking back and forth on a street as the ground trembled.

Earthquake magnitude 7.8 in Kamchatka. pic.twitter.com/JkzCESiPcq

— Kirill Bakanov (@WeatherSarov1) September 18, 2025

These images reflected the powerful force of the quake, which rattled buildings across the region.

Tsunami Alert Issued and Lifted

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued a tsunami alert, warning of potentially hazardous waves along nearby coastlines. However, after monitoring the situation for several hours, the center confirmed that the threat had passed and lifted the warning.

This brought relief to residents who had been bracing for possible flooding.

Aftermath and Safety Measures

Authorities urged residents to stay alert as aftershocks could continue in the coming days. The quake caused widespread panic, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Emergency teams remain on standby to respond if conditions worsen.

Kamchatka, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making it prone to strong earthquakes and volcanic activity.