A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 8.7 struck off the coast of Russia, marking the strongest seismic event globally since the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan. The tremor has triggered widespread tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific, including tsunami warnings for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and tsunami watches extending across the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii.
Despite the intensity of the quake, there is currently no tsunami threat to the Maldives, according to sources familiar with international seismic monitoring systems. However, the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) has yet to issue an official statement, drawing criticism from concerned residents about the delay in communication.
The epicenter of the earthquake lies deep in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, far from the Indian Ocean region. Still, experts stress the importance of swift alerts in island nations like the Maldives, where early warnings are critical due to geographic vulnerability.
As global agencies continue to monitor aftershocks and potential tsunami developments, Maldivians are urged to remain calm but vigilant. MET Office is expected to issue an official advisory in the coming hours.
