Russia's Kamchatka hit by magnitude 6.9 quake; no damage reported

USGS.gove . Earthquake in Kamchatka: USGS map showing location of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake. IMAGE

2/28/13 By Reuters of Reuters

The arc formed by the peninsula and the Kurile Islands, which stretch from Russia to Japan, is one of the most seismically active areas in the world.

LONDON — A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck near the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula, at a depth of around 33 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey reported Thursday.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami, based on historical earthquake and tsunami data.

Britain's BBC quoted Russia's Emergencies Ministry as saying there were no reports of casualties or damage, and that no tsunami warning had been issued.

The arc formed by the peninsula and the Kurile Islands stretching from Russia to Japan is one of the most seismically active areas in the world.

USGS's first report had put the quake at magnitude 7.0, at a depth of 18 miles.

Writing by Kevin Liffey

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