The earthquake took place at 16:59 local time (04:59 GMT). The epicenter was located 144 kilometers (89.5 miles) from the town of Severo-Kurilsk at a depth of 73 kilometers.
There is no information about any victims or damage caused by the earthquake. No tsunami alert has been declared.
The Kuril Islands are located in a seismically active zone known as the Ring of Fire, which is regularly affected by powerful earthquakes. On November 5, 1952, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a huge tsunami that devastated the town of Severo-Kurilsk, leaving over 2,300 people killed.