7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has an estimated population of 181,216, according to USGS data.

According to FOX Weather, a Tsunami Advisory is a lower-rung alert for a tsunami, issued when small waves may impact an area.

What do the different tsunami alert levels mean?

As natural disasters like tsunamis can develop rapidly, understanding the levels of tsunami alerts is critical for public safety. These alerts, issued by agencies like the National Weather Service, are divided into four levels: Tsunami Threat, Tsunami Watch, Tsunami Advisory, and Tsunami Warning.

1. Tsunami Threat: This serves as an information statement to update the public on tsunami activity, often to report no threat or cancel previous alerts.

2. Tsunami Watch: This means a tsunami is possible based on preliminary data, and people in at-risk areas should stay alert for updates

3. Tsunami Advisory: This indicates the potential for strong currents or waves that may be hazardous to those in or near the water.

4. Tsunami Warning: This means a dangerous tsunami is imminent or already occurring. Coastal areas are advised to evacuate immediately.