Big Quake of 7.8 Magnitude Hit of Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia

The US geological survey has issued Tsunami warnings after the earthquake hit Kamchatka Peninsula.

(Photo Courtesy: US Geological Survey)

An earthquake that struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday was upgraded to a magnitude 7.8, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, which struck far away from mainland Russia, was initially reported as a magnitude 7.7 before being revised down to 4.4 and finally upgraded to 7.8, a major quake normally capable of causing widespread and heavy damage when striking on or near land.

"Based on preliminary earthquake parameters...hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km (186 miles) of the earthquake epicenter," the center wrote.