Mega Quake Off Russia Sparks Tsunami Fears

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Far East, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The tremor took place on a 'megathrust fault,' where the Pacific Plate slips under the North American Plate, scientists reported.

This region, especially the Kamchatka Peninsula, faces heightened seismic activities due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, said Roger Musson from the British Geological Survey. The area has a history of powerful earthquakes, including a magnitude 9 event in 1952.

The quake's shallow depth increased the likelihood of a tsunami. Tsunami waves reached as far as Hawaii, raising concerns for Pacific island nations. Despite the risks, deeper quakes may not trigger tsunamis if the shearing doesn't affect the ocean surface, experts advised.

(With inputs from agencies.)