Date: Tuesday April 7, 2009

Location: Kuril Islands, Japan/Russia
Magnitude: 7.0
Damage/Casualties: None
Related Tsunami/Volcano: None

MSNBC reported early Tuesday morning that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit early Tuesday at sea near the Kuril island chain between northern Japan and Russia. The quake struck at 1:24 p.m. local time in the waters near the Kurils, about 500 miles off the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. The earthquake occurred about 6 miles below the sea surface.

There were no immediate tsunami warnings, and there have been no reports of casualties or building damage so far. It seems that the island communities will be safe, but an earthquake of this magnitude at sea could easily result in a destructive tsunami.

Source: MSNBC