A magnitude 7.7. earthquake struck the Kamchatka peninisula in Russia's far east today, the US Geological Survey said.
The earthquake, which occurred at 12,25pm. local time yesterday, was located 6,290 kilometres north/northeast of Moscow at a depth of roughly 12.6 kilometres, the survey reported.
The initial quake was followed by nine aftershocks in the region with magnitudes ranging between 4.5 and 5.4, according to the survey.
Russia's Itar-Tass news agency said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, according to a seismic research team in the Kamchatka region.
The US Geological Survey estimated that some 2,000 people would have been exposed to "intensive shaking". It was largest seismic event in the area since 1900, a spokeswoman said.