Days after massive earthquake, 6.2 quake hits Russia's Kuril Islands

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) stated on Saturday that a magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred late Friday to the east of the Kuril Islands.

According to the NCS, the earthquake struck at 23:50 Indian Standard Time (IST) on Friday, at a depth of 32 km.

It was recorded at Lat: 50.19 N, Long: 159.14 E.

"EQ of M: 6.2, On: 01/08/2025 23:50:49 IST, Lat: 50.19 N, Long: 159.14 E, Depth: 32 Km, Location: East of Kuril Islands."

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday is tied for the sixth-strongest ever recorded. Russia suffered no casualties, according to the Kremlin, ANI reported.

According to US Geological Survey data, around 125 aftershocks of magnitude 4.4 or larger have occurred near Russia in the more than 16 hours since the major 8.8 earthquake off the coast.

Three of these were magnitude 6.0 or above, with the greatest being a 6.9 around 45 minutes after the main shock.

Strong aftershocks continue to rock the region, with a 6.4 magnitude aftershock impacting around 200 miles southwest of yesterday's main quake's epicentre just before 11 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday.

Aftershocks are often strongest and most frequent in the hours to days following the major earthquake, decreasing in quantity and intensity as time passes. Shallow earthquakes are typically more deadly than deep earthquakes.

This is because seismic waves from shallow earthquakes travel a shorter distance to the surface, resulting in increased ground shaking, significant structural damage, and more casualties.

Meanwhile, Hawaii's tsunami advisory has been withdrawn following a powerful earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast that left the region on high alert. According to CNN, tsunami warnings for the US coastline and Japan were earlier downgraded to advisory status.