• 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.

• Fast Facts

  1. Occurred 180 miles east-northeast of the Kuril Islands (46.118°N, 151.364°E)USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
  2. Date: April 18, 2009USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
  3. Time: 12:17 p.m. PSTUSGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
  4. Magnitude: 6.8 preliminary, downgraded to 6.6USGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
  5. Depth: 21.7 milesUSGS: Magnitude 6.6 - Kuril Islands
  6. No immediate tsunami warnings issuedWCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC
  7. No early reports of damage
  8. Felt as far as Japan, 940 miles awayWCATWC: Tsunami message from WCATWC
  9. Reported to be felt in Australia, however the statement was later retracted

• 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 WCATWC

• Kuril Islands Facts

  1. Under jurisdiction by Russia and Japan
  2. 20 main islands, with 36 smaller islets
  3. Run from Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula south to the Japanese island of Hokkaido
  4. Total land area: 15,600 square kilometers
  5. Sparsely populated
  6. Divided into northern, central and southern island regions
  7. Largest island, Iturup, is 3,200 square kilometers
  8. Densely vegetated

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Russia | Japan | Earthquakes | Tsunami | Italy Earthquake | Alabama Earthquake

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