Powerful Earthquake Rocks Russia's Eastern Coast, Tsunami Warning Lifted

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off Russia's eastern coast near a major naval base early Sunday. The quake triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted. No immediate damage or injuries were reported. The epicenter was located 102 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 struck in the Pacific off the far eastern coast of Russia near a major naval base early Sunday. There were no early reports of damage or injuries.

The quake occurred 18 miles (29 kilometres) below the surface, and its epicenter was about 63 miles (102 kilometers) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to the US Geological Survey. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a port city of more than 181,000 people surrounded by volcanoes and sits across a bay from an important Russian submarine base.

The US National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu initially issued a tsunami warning, but it was later lifted. The centre indicated that minor sea level fluctuations could occur in some coastal areas near the earthquake site for several hours.

(With inputs from agencies.)