Questions Swirl Around Status Of Russian Nuclear Submarine Base After Historic Earthquake
A huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake occurred early this morning off the coast of Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific. The earthquake was only around 75 miles away from a cluster of key Russian naval bases, including ones that host nuclear ballistic missile submarines, raising questions about what damage they may have sustained.
The earthquake off Kamchatka is tied for the sixth strongest in history, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey as reported by the BBC. It was also the strongest anywhere on Earth in years. At the time of writing, Russian authorities have downplayed any impacts from the earthquake and ensuing tsunami waves, saying that there have been no reported fatalities or serious injuries. They have also declared the tsunami threat to be over, but have warned about the risks still posed by aftershocks.
Of significance is the proximity of the epicenter to the Russian Pacific Fleet submarine bases around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Rybachiy and Vilyuchinsk. Just 65 nautical miles. 2/ pic.twitter.com/Cpvo873fUt
