M 8.8 Off East Coast of Kamchatka

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the M 8.8 earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, including its aftershocks and potential impacts on the Pacific region, such as tsunami warnings and volcanic activity. Participants explore the implications for ocean currents and climate phenomena like La Niña and El Niño.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the seismic activity in the Northern Pacific, highlighting the M 8.8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, including M 6.8 and several above M 5.
  • There were tsunami warnings in Hawaii, with reports of a maximum height of about 4 feet and some flooding in low-lying areas.
  • One participant questions whether the earthquake could affect Pacific currents and climate patterns like La Niña and El Niño, considering its distance from these phenomena.
  • Another participant argues that the deep nature of the earthquake would result in less tsunami wave amplitude and suggests it should have no effect on the Southern Oscillation, emphasizing that storm swells are more significant than the generated tsunami.
  • A later post mentions the eruption of the Klyuchevskoy volcano following the earthquake, describing lava flow and volcanic activity as a coincidental event.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the potential impact of the earthquake on ocean currents and climate phenomena, with no consensus reached on this aspect. There is also a shared acknowledgment of the volcanic activity following the earthquake, but the implications of this connection remain speculative.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the relationship between seismic activity and oceanic phenomena, as well as the effects of earthquake depth on tsunami generation. These factors are not fully resolved within the conversation.

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TL;DR
A series of big earthquakes occurred near Kamchatka
The entire Northern Pacific seems to be quite active. Kamchatka notes an M 8.8 and several severe quakes afterward (M 6.8) and several above M 5. There have also been earthquakes near the Kuril Islands, which aren't that far away.

1753863941640.webp


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Source: https://geofon.gfz.de/
 
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There were tsunami warnings in Hawaii. The maximum height was about 4 feet (1.2 m) with some flooding in parking lots and low lying areas along the north or NW coasts.

It was one of the strongest earthquakes since 2010.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000qw60/executive

M 8.8 - 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Earthquake​


  • 2025-07-29 23:24:50 (UTC)
  • 52.530°N 160.165°E
  • 20.7 km depth
Many aftershocks recorded including Mag 6.9 and Mag 6.3 earthquakes

M6.9 -https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000qw6q/executive
M6.3 - https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000qw6s/executive

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000qw60/region-info
 

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  • Mag8.8_Kamchatka,Russia(29Jul2025).webp
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Wondering if and how it would affect the Pacific currents and La Nina/El Nino. Or was this earthquake too far away to have any appreciable effect?
 
ShadowKraz said:
Wondering if and how it would affect the Pacific currents and La Nina/El Nino. Or was this earthquake too far away to have any appreciable effect?
This was a deep earthquake, so there will be less tsunami wave amplitude than a shallow quake. It should have no effect on the Southern Oscillation. Storm swells in the Pacific are significantly larger and more energetic than the tsunami generated. The thermal energy involved in the SO will be unaffected by the momentary tsunami.
 
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Baluncore said:
This was a deep earthquake, so there will be less tsunami wave amplitude than a shallow quake. It should have no effect on the Southern Oscillation. Storm swells in the Pacific are significantly larger and more energetic than the tsunami generated. The thermal energy involved in the SO will be unaffected by the momentary tsunami.
Thank you.
 
The Klyuchevskoy volcano on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula began erupting on Wednesday following a powerful earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast.

Lava began flowing from what is the largest active volcano in the northern hemisphere. The Russian Academy of Sciences' United Geophysical Service said in a post on Telegram: "A descent of burning hot lava is observed on the western slope. Powerful glow above the volcano, explosions."
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-klyuchevskoy-volcano-erupts-earthquake-evacuations-2106304

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/es...olcano-Popocatepetl-Semeru-Shiveluch-Ibu.html


Interesting coincidence.
 
 

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