Where is the Kamchatka peninsula and why is it so dangerous?

A record-strong earthquake near the Kamchatka peninsula has sparked panic across the Pacific region. But what makes the area so risky?

All eyes are on the remote Russian Kamchatka peninsula in the far east after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit this morning – one of the strongest tremors ever recorded.

The peninsula is no stranger to seismic activity as it lies on the infamous ‘Ring of Fire.’

For the latest updates on the tsunami warnings and earthquake follow Metro’s live blog 

Three tsunami waves ripped buildings off their foundations and flooded factories, including a fishery, in the city of Severo-Kurilsk on the Kuril Islands, where 300 people were taken to safety.

And the seismic outburst had more in store after the earthquake – the Klyuchevskoy volcano, one of many active craters in the area, spewed ash up to 1.8 miles into the sky.

There might also be lava flows and the volcanic activity could affect low-flying aircraft.

A spate of strong aftershocks has also been recorded off the peninsula.

When was the last earthquake in Kamchatka, Russia?

The Kamchatka tremor today is a chilling reminder of what the Ring of Fire is capable of.

Today’s quake was the strongest incident in the region since the 1952 earthquake, which triggered a wave in the nearby areas and Hawaii.

The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake is the most powerful tremor in Russia and remains the fifth-most powerful earthquake ever since records began in 1900.

It raised waves of up to 59 feet high, which struck Severo-Kurilsk, but no deaths were recorded.

Only the 2011 Japan earthquake, measuring 9.0 magnitude, was more powerful than the quake today.

Almost 20,000 people were killed when monster waves hit the Tohoku region and caused a major nuclear emergency at the Fukushima power plant.

Why is the Kamchatka peninsula dangerous?

The peninsula sits above the meeting point of two tectonic plates along the ‘Ring of Fire,’ which causes earthquakes and eruptions.

The ‘Ring of Fire’ is a geological rim spanning from the southernmost tip of South America through North America, Russia, Japan, New Zealand and the Pacific islands.

Around 90% of the world’s earthquakes are recorded on the ‘Ring of Fire’, and it is also home to the majority of all volcanoes.

Quakes are triggered by movement of the Pacific and Okhotsk Sea plates deep underwater.

Alongside severe Siberian winters, the peninsula is dotted with dozens of active volcanoes.

The scenic mountain ranges feature 127 volcanoes, of which 22 are still active along with several geysers and hot springs.

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