Russia Earthquake: Massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Kamchatka coast; watch alarming videos

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Russia’s far eastern coast on September 18, 2025, striking just off the Kamchatka Peninsula near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at 11:58 p.m. PDT (11:58 a.m. local time Friday), with its epicenter located 128 kilometers (80 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Coordinates were logged at 53.168°N, 160.532°E.

The city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, home to over 181,000 residents, is one of the largest urban centers on the remote peninsula. Despite the intensity, officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.


Dramatic footage from the region showed buildings swaying, furniture clattering, and light fixtures swinging violently inside homes. In one clip, a parked car rocked from side to side as the ground trembled.

Several other instances of the quake were captured on CCTV footage acorss the region which showed chandeliers along with smaller lights and other homeware shaking violently.

Russia Earthquake: Tsunami advisory in Alaska

In the wake of the quake, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for the Western Aleutian Islands in Alaska, cautioning coastal communities of possible minor waves.

No alerts were declared for mainland Alaska, the continental United States, or Canada. Emergency authorities in both Russia and the U.S. said they were maintaining close watch on developments.

A hotspot for seismic activity

Kamchatka sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active seismic zones. The region frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its complex tectonic boundaries.

While Thursday’s event was one of the strongest in recent years, scientists note the area has a long history of significant tremors, making vigilance essential.