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- Occurred 180 miles east-northeast of the Kuril Islands (46.118°N, 151.364°E)USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- Date: April 18, 2009USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- Time: 12:17 p.m. PSTUSGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- Magnitude: 6.8 preliminary, downgraded to 6.6USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- Depth: 21.7 milesUSGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- No immediate tsunami warnings issuedWCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC
- No early reports of damage
- Felt as far as Japan, 940 miles awayWCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC
- Reported to be felt in Australia, however the statement was later retracted
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A 6.6-magnitude earthquake was reported 180 miles from the Kuril Islands on April 18, 2009. The shallow earthquake hit at a depth of 21.7 miles, with the shallow depth increasing the possibility of a resulting tsunami. No tsunami warnings were issued immediately after the shake.WCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC Early reports did not suggest any damage to the sparsely populated islands.
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Tsunami Implications
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, earthquakes of this magnitude and depth "can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter." No immediate tsunami warnings were issued after the event and a destructive tsunami was not expected. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a statement reaffirming that a tsunami was not expected along the Pacific coastline of the United States or Canada.WCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWCKuril Islands Facts
- Under jurisdiction by Russia and Japan
- 20 main islands, with 36 smaller islets
- Run from Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula south to the Japanese island of Hokkaido
- Total land area: 15,600 square kilometers
- Sparsely populated
- Divided into northern, central and southern island regions
- Largest island, Iturup, is 3,200 square kilometers
- Densely vegetated
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Kuril Islands News and Information
- USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
- WCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC
- Rueters: Earthquake Jolts Northern Japan, Russian Far East (April 18, 2009)
- BNOnews: Large Earthquake Strikes the Kuril Islands (April 18, 2009)
- Google Maps: M6.6 Kuril Islands
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