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Global Geological And Climatic Events

Tsunami Waves triggered by quakes in Kamchatka Peninsula

Why in the News?

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering 16-foot tsunamis that reached Hawaii and northern California in the US.

About Earthquakes:

  • Overview: Sudden ground shaking caused by release of stored energy in Earth’s crust due to tectonic stress.
  • Cause: Occurs when tectonic plates slip at fault lines where stress had built up due to friction.
  • Seismic Waves: Energy travels as:
    • Primary Waves (P-waves): Fastest, compressional.
    • Secondary Waves (S-waves): Slower, shear motion.
  • Key Terms:
    • Focus (Hypocenter): Underground origin point.
    • Epicenter: Surface point directly above the focus.
  • Measurement:
    • Magnitude: Energy released (Richter Scale, logarithmic).
    • Intensity: Observed ground shaking (varies by location).
    • Seismograph: Records seismic wave activity.

How Earthquakes Trigger Tsunamis?

  • Underwater Epicenter: Must occur beneath oceans to displace water.
  • Shallow Depth: Quakes at <70 km transfer energy more efficiently to water surface.
  • Reverse Faulting: One tectonic plate pushes over another, vertically shifting the seafloor.
  • Rapid Displacement: Sudden seafloor uplift/downthrust generates massive water waves.
  • High Magnitude: Quakes >7.0 (especially >8.0) likely to trigger tsunamis.

About the Kamchatka Region:

  • Overview: Russian Far East; borders the North Pacific Ocean.
  • Tectonic Zone: Sits on the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench—Pacific Plate subducting under Okhotsk Plate at ~86 mm/year.
  • Seismic Hotspot: Historical major quakes in 1841, 1923, 1952, 2006, and 2020.
  • Ring of Fire: Part of the 40,000 km Pacific Ring of Fire , known for quakes and volcanoes.
  • 2025 Earthquake:
    • Depth:3 km (shallow)
    • Impact: Triggered tsunami waves up to 16 ft—one of the strongest earthquakes since 1900.
[UPSC 2004] Consider the following geological phenomena:

1. Development of a fault 2. Movement along a fault 3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption 4. Folding of rocks

Which of the above cause earthquakes?

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4*

 

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