Russia quake triggers tsunami waves

A strong earthquake hit near Sakhalin island in Russia’s Far East today, reportedly killing one person and sending small tsunami waves to northern Japan.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4, struck at 11.38 am (03.38am) near southern Sakhalin, according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency.

One person died and two people were injured on Sakhalin from the quake, Kyodo News agency said, quoting the Russian news service, Interfax.

In Japan, tsunami waves of about 30 centimetres (about 12 inches) hit the coastal city of Wakkanai on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, according to the meteorological agency.

Waves as high as 50 centimetres (about 20 inches) could hit elsewhere on Hokkaido’s western coast, the agency said, warning residents to stay away from the shore.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in Japan from the quake or tsunami waves.

Japan and Russia’s Far Eastern provinces form part of the Pacific Ocean’s seismically active “Ring of Fire”.

The Japanese government issues tsunami warnings even when only tiny waves are expected, and the country’s most heavily populated coastlines are fitted with loudspeakers to order tsunami evacuations.