Why in NEWS
Five earthquakes struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a tectonically volatile area. The strongest quake measured 7.4 in magnitude.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Kamchatka Peninsula | Located in far eastern Russia, between Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific Ocean. |
| Pacific Ring of Fire | A major area in the Pacific Ocean basin known for frequent earthquakes and volcanoes. |
| Tectonic Plates | Kamchatka lies at the meeting point of the Pacific and North American plates. |
| Klyuchevskoy Volcano | Highest and most active volcano on Kamchatka Peninsula. |
| Tundra Climate | Cold, dry, and treeless biome with low population. |
| Kuril Archipelago | Island chain between Kamchatka and Japan, disputed by Russia and Japan. |
Details of the News
- Five earthquakes hit the Kamchatka Peninsula, with the strongest at 7.4 magnitude.
- The area is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, prone to high seismic and volcanic activity.
- Kamchatka hosts over 150 volcanoes, with 29 active, including Klyuchevskoy.
- The peninsula lies between the Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific Ocean, and is drained by the Kamchatka River.
- Due to its tundra climate, it remains sparsely populated.
- The Kuril Islands, south of Kamchatka, are a point of territorial dispute between Russia and Japan.
In a nutshell
Mnemonic: K-RING
Kamchatka
Ring of Fire
Islands dispute
Numerous volcanoes
Geothermal zone
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which two tectonic plates meet near the Kamchatka Peninsula?
A. Eurasian and Indian
B. Pacific and North American
C. African and Antarctic
D. Eurasian and Arabian - Which volcano is the highest and most active in Kamchatka?
A. Shiveluch
B. Klyuchevskoy
C. Mount Fuji
D. Krakatoa - The Kuril Islands are disputed between which countries?
A. Russia and China
B. Japan and South Korea
C. Russia and Japan
D. China and Japan
Answers – Prelims
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | The Kamchatka Peninsula lies at the boundary of the Pacific and North American plates. |
| 2 | B | Klyuchevskoy is the tallest and most active volcano in the region. |
| 3 | C | Kuril Islands are claimed by both Russia and Japan. |
