Millions were under tsunami advisories today after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia, sending tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and the US west coast.

Authorities warned the risk from the 8.8 magnitude quake could last for hours, and millions of people potentially in the path of the waves were initially told to move away from the shore or seek high ground.

Several people were injured, but none gravely, and no major damage has been reported so far. 

The worst appeared to have passed for many areas, including the US, where all tsunami warnings were lifted by noon EST.

But in countries along the Pacific - such as Ecuador, Chile and New Zealand - new warnings were forcing evacuations.

Wednesday's earthquake was the sixth most powerful on record, and the strongest in Kamchatka region since 1952, with aftershocks of up to 7.5 magnitude expected.

It is the largest earthquake globally since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.

This is a developing story. Follow Daily Mail's live coverage below. 

This live blog has now closed.Chile, Ecuador and New Zealand brace for tsunami waves

Fears of a devastating tsunami faded Wednesday for the U.S. and Japan after one of the strongest quakes ever recorded struck off a sparsely populated Russian peninsula, but new alerts along South America’s Pacific coast forced evacuations and closed beaches.

Chile, a place highly vulnerable to earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis, raised its warning to the highest level early Wednesday for most of its lengthy Pacific coast and said it was evacuating hundreds of people.

Meanwhile education officials in Ecuador canceled classes at schools in the Galapagos Islands as well as communities along the coast, with the Galapagos Islands on high alert.

Ecuadorian officials said a tsunami watch remains in effect.

'Currently, there are slight disturbances in sea level, which could continue for the next few hours,' said INOCAR, the Ecuadorean Navy’s Oceanographic Institute.

In New Zealand, tsumani waves began hitting on Thursday morning local time, with officials warning that 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore'.

'Tsunami activity has already reached parts of New Zealand,' the advisory read.

'The first currents and surges are unlikely to be the largest and are expected to continue over many hours. The threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.'

New Zealand is about 6,000 miles from the quake’s epicenter. Officials warn that the first tsunami waves might not be the largest to arrive and people should treat the threat as real until the alert is canceled.

Members of the Ecuadorian Navy patrol El Murcielago beach in Manta, Ecuador.

A couple walks along the seashore during an evacuation of the coast in Penco, near Concepcion, Chile.

Waves crash following a tsunami advisory generated by local authorities in Vina del Mar, Chile.

Chile's coast under the highest tsunami alert

Chile, a place highly vulnerable to earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis, raised its warning to the highest level for most of its lengthy Pacific coast and said it was evacuating hundreds of people.

Officials said they are evacuating five prisons due to their locations and elevations.

Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde told CNN the inmates will be transferred 'to other prison facilities, geographically close, with all security protocols in place'.

Chile ranks among the countries that are most vulnerable to earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis, and Chileans have painful memories of an 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010 that killed 525 people, many of them in the tsunami that followed.

Advisory canceled in Hawaii

The tsunami advisories are now lifted in all of Hawaii.

'Tsunami wave heights across the state of Hawaii are now below advisory levels and are continuing to diminish,' the to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

'Small sea level changes and strong or unusual currents may persist for several additional hours in some coastal areas.'

Tsunami waves hit New Zealand

Emergency management officials say coastlines of New Zealand are experiencing strong currents and wave surges as tsunami activity reaches shores.

It’s early morning Thursday in New Zealand. An alert broadcast to every cell phone says the threat is likely to remain in place until at least midday. Evacuations haven’t been ordered. But people throughout the South Pacific island nation are warned to stay out of the water and away from beaches, shorelines, harbors, rivers and estuaries.

New Zealand is about 6,000 miles from the quake’s epicenter. Officials warn that the first tsunami waves might not be the largest to arrive and people should treat the threat as real until the alert is canceled.

WATCH: Time lapse video shows rapid water surge in Bay AreaTsunami advisory is canceled for Oregon, Washington state

The National Tsunami Warning Center’s bulletin says Oregon recorded its largest tsunami wave of 1.4 feet in Port Orford.

The largest in Washington state was 1.3 feet in La Push, on the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula.

While the advisories are no longer in effect, officials warned that the ocean will 'continue to fluctuate over the next several days, with strong currents possible'.

Tsunami waves hit the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador

The island of Baltra has already seen waves of more than 3 feet, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

In some areas, waves have hit 4 feet.

Alaska 'didn't feel a thing'

A spokesperson for Alaska’s state emergency management agency, Jeremy Zidek, says in a text that no damage has been reported.

The community of Adak recorded the largest tsunami wave in Alaska at 2.7 feet, or less than a meter.

'I think what really surprised us, given the magnitude of that earthquake on Kamchatka, is that we didn’t feel a thing,' Adak City Manager Breck Craig said.

'The bad thing is, that it might be our turn next.'

All of Hawaii is given clear to return to evacuation areas

All of the counties that were ordered to evacuate in Hawaii have been given an all clear for residents to return, per the state’s Department of Transportation.

All airports have resumed operations and ports have been cleared.

Russian earthquake struck on 'megathrust fault'

The 8.8 earthquake off Russia that triggered tsunami warnings across thre Pacific occurred on what is known as a 'megathrust fault,' where the denser Pacific Plate is sliding underneath the lighter North American Plate, scientists said.

With its epicentre near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, it was the biggest earthquake since the devastating Tohuku event in 2011, which caused a tsunami that sent Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into meltdown.

'The Kamchatka seismic zone is one of the most active subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the Pacific Plate is moving westwards at around 3 inches per year,' said Roger Musson, honorary research fellow at the British Geological Survey.

Earthquake triggered at least 10 aftershocks

Wednesday's quake has already triggered at least 10 aftershocks above magnitude 5, and they could continue for months, said Caroline Orchiston, director of the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

'This demonstrates that large-magnitude earthquakes generate aftershock sequences that start immediately, and some of these can be damaging in their own right,' she said.

The 8.8 magnitude event on Wednesday came less than two weeks after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in the same area, which has now been identified as a 'foreshock.'

'Earthquakes by their nature are unpredictable,' said Pascal. 'There are no precursors that are scientifically consistent in earthquake sequences. Before this morning, those other ones were the main shocks.'

Bigger aftershocks cannot entirely be ruled out, he added, but their magnitude and frequency normally tend to decrease over time.

What is a tsunami?

According to ready.gov, a tsunami 'is a series of enormous ocean waves caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions or asteroids.'

The speed of tsunami waves depends on ocean depth rather than the distance from the source of the wave, according to the National Ocean Service.

The waves can travel as as fast as jet planes over deep waters, only slowing down when reaching shallow waters.

WATCH: Southern California waters calm after tsunami fearsEvacuations underway in South America

Tsunami warnings remain in effect for Chile and Colombia as of Wednesday noon.

Meanwhile in Ecuador, visitor sites in the Galapagos Island were temporarily closed.

Ecuadorian officials said, 'there is a high probability of a tsunami being generated' on the nation's coastline.

They also warned that waves could reach more than 10 feet.

Parts of Costa Rica and Panama could also see tsunami waves of about three to 10 feet, per the National Weather Service.

Residents evacuate to higher elevations due to a tsunami warning in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos.

Members of Chile's Civil Defense operate during an evacuation of the coastline following a tsunami advisory generated by local authorities.

PICTURED: Tsunami in Japan

A tsunami of 2 feet was recorded in Hamanaka town in Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Several areas reported smaller waves, and at least one person was injured.

In Iwaki, a city in Fukushima Prefecture, which was the epicenter of the 2011 tsunami and quake, dozens of residents gathered at a hilltop park after a community siren sounded and breakwater gates were closed.

Workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was severely damaged in 2011, took shelter on higher ground while remotely monitoring operations, the operator said.

By late Wednesday, Japan had downgraded its tsunami alert but left an advisory in place along the Pacific coast.

A woman lies down at an evacuation tower in Kushiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning.

People queue up to pay for their parking as they leave the beachside area at Inage Seaside Park after much of coastal Japan went on tsunami alert.

People take shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa town, Hokkaido, northern Japan.

One of the world’s strongest recorded quakes

The earthquake appeared to be the strongest recorded since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 which caused a massive tsunami and set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said initial reports showed Japan’s nuclear plants were not affected Wednesday.

Only a few other stronger quakes have ever been measured around the world. Wednesday’s occurred along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', a series of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes take place.

The quake struck at 11:24 a.m. in Kamchatka with a magnitude of 8.8 and a depth of about 13 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered offshore, about 75 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka’s regional capital.

Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed.

Hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled after earthquake

Hundreds of flights to and from China were delayed or cancelled on Wednesday, per FlightAware.

In the US mainland, flight disruptions in the west coast remained minimal, with 58 flights to Los Angeles International Airport delayed, and 11 canceled.

Meanwhile 31 flights to San Francisco International Airport were delayed as well as 22 flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

In Hawaii, about 60 flights were delayed or canceled.

Bay Area officials tell residents to remain cautious

Officials in the Bay Area told residents to remain on alert as the area continues seeing water fluctuations on the coast.

While the tsunami alert was downgraded to an advisory, officials said people in northern California should still stay away from the coast.

All tsunami warnings lifted in US west coast

The portion of northern California that remained under a tsunami warning - the highest alert level - has now been downgraded to a tsunami advisory.

Tsunami advisories are still in effect in regions of California, Oregon, Alaska and Haweaii.

An advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbors.

A tsunami height of 10 to 13 feet was recorded in Kamchatka, and waves of 2 feetwere recorded on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. In Northern California, officials recorded waves of 3.6 feet in Crescent City.

No tsunami warnings in effect in the US

Officials in Crescent City, the last portion of the US coastline that remained under tsunami warning, said on Wednesday the area has not seen major damage so far.

'It was a long night for all of us,' said Eric Weir, the city manager.

'We were fortunate this time. There was significant tsunami surges. We’re still dealing with those now, but it did stay within the banks of Elk Creek.'

WATCH: Surgeons operate on patient as earthquake strikes Russia

Video footage shows surgeons in Russia clinging to an operating table during an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the area on Wednesday.

Colombia orders evacuation of beaches as South America braces for tsunami waves

Officials in Colombia have ordered the complete closure and evacuation of beaches and low-tide areas along the country’s Pacific coast.

Maritime traffic is also being restricted. Officials say strong currents and tsunami waves were possible in two coastal states, including one that borders Ecuador.

Meanwhile Chile’s national emergency service said it is evacuating hundreds of people from coastal areas.

'Remember that the first wave is usually not the strongest,' Chilean President Gabriel Boric warned on social media. 'Let’s act calmly and follow official instructions.'

Chile ranks among the countries that are most vulnerable to earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis, and Chileans have painful memories of an 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010 that killed 525 people, many of them in the tsunami that followed.

Officials say tsunami activity continues in northern California

Officials in northern California warned residents to stay vigilant as currents remain dangerous.

In Crescent City, near the Oregon border, officials reported 'rapid' three-foot swings of the water level.

Four whales that beached in Japan could have been stranded by huge earthquake

Four whales that beached in Japan could have been stranded by the huge earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings, experts have revealed.

Filmed in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, heartbreaking footage shows the huge creatures laying within a few feet of each other on the beach.

According to Professor Peter Evans, Director of the Sea Watch Foundation, the answer may lie in an increase in underwater noise, causing the whales to become disorientated.

WATCH: The moment massive earthquake struck Russia How to prepare for a tsunami

As Hawaii residents were urged to evacuate under threat of a devastating tsunami, officials issued statements about how to prepare for the possibility of natural disaster.

Locals in a high-impact zone were urged to prepare in the event of an emergency.

'Head to higher ground or as far inland as possible,' Drew Davis for Hawaii News Now said.

'If possible, remove or deploy vessels to deep water,' the agency said.

No earthquake casualties in Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there were no casualties in Russia from the earthquake off Kamchatka, for which he credited solid building construction and the smooth working of alert systems.

A still image taken from a handout video provided by the Russian Emergencies Ministry shows a rescuer standing near a damaged kindergarten following the earthquake.

The difference between a tsunami warning and advisory

According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, a tsunami warning is when the tsunami height is expected to be up to 3 meters.

Under a tsunami warning, waves are expected cause damage to low-lying areas, flood buildings and expose people to tsunami currents. People are advised to evacuate from coastal or river areas immediately to safer places such as high ground or a tsunami evacuation building.

A tsunami advisory is when tsunami height is expected to be up to 1 meter.

It warns those exposed would be caught in strong tsunami currents in the sea, and that small vessels may capsize. Under an tsunami advisory, people are advised to get out of the water and leave coastal areas immediately.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Chile amid tsunami alert

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who is in Chile for meetings with officials, told reporters in the capital of Santiago that the threat of a major tsunami hitting the United States 'has passed completely'.

'We’re in really good shape right now,' Secretary Noem said, according to a White House pool report.

'We were fully deployed and ready to respond if necessary, but grateful that we didn’t have to deal with the situation that this could have been.'

Noem has been traveling in South America this week and previously stopped in Argentina.

Kristi Noem walks along a viewpoint in Rio Clarillo National Park in Pirque, Chile, on Tuesday.

Tsunami waves reach French Polynesia

Tsunami waves began hitting the Marquesas Islandsin French Polynesia early on Wednesday.

The waves were forecast to be smaller than initially feared, local authorities said.

The highest wave heights are yet to come, but they are now expected to reach 1.10-2.50 meters, down from a previous forecast of up to 4 meters, the High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia said.

Some initial wave surges were reported on the island of Nuku Hiva, and between five and 10 additional ocean waves are expected in the coming hours, the high commission said.

Hours before the first tsunami waves began to hit, residents were urged to go to safe zones, either at higher elevations or far offshore, and stay there until the official alert is lifted.

Nuku Hiva is the largest Marquesas island and about 1,400 km northeast of Tahiti, also part of French Polynesia.

Chile and Peru could see massive waves after earthquake

Peruvian officials said waves in the South American nation could reach more than 7 feet on Wednesday.

The first waves are expected to reach the country just after 10am local time.

Meanwhile Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service declared a red tsunami alert for the country's Pacific coast.

The alert started evacuation processes all over Chile, as as most of its regions are impacted by the warning.

Eurasia's largest volcano erupts in Russia after massive earthquake: 'A descent of burning lava'

The Klyuchevskoy volcano in Kamchatka erupted on Wednesday after the earthquake in Kamchatka, Russia.

Images shared online show the glow of the explosion and lava descending from the volcano.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Academy of Sciences' United Geophysical Service said: 'A descent of burning hot lava is observed on the western slope. Powerful glow above the volcano, explosions.'

The volcano is located on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's Far East. It has erupted several times in recent years.

Located around 280 miles north of the regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Klyuchevskoy is one of the highest volcanoes in the world.

The Klyuchevskaya Sopka stands at 15,584 feet in the east of Russia’s Kamchatka region. Observers heard explosions and saw streams of lava on the volcano’s western slopes, the Kamchatka branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ geophysical service said.

Scientists have anticipated the eruption for some time, with the volcano’s crater filling with lava for several weeks and the mountain spitting out plumes of ash. Sometimes described as the 'land of fire and ice,' Kamchatka is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. It has about 300 volcanoes, 29 of them still active, according to NASA Earth Observatory.

Oprah Winfrey hits back at claims she 'refused' to open her private road in Hawaii

Residents on the island claimed that Oprah 'refused' to open her private road, which would help ease congestion for those trying to escape.

However, Oprah's spokesperson has now insisted that these claims are false and that she opened the road as soon as she heard the warnings.

Northern California only area in US coastline that remains on tsunami warning

Northern California is the only portion of the US coastline that remains under a tsunami warning Wednesday morning.

The warning covers about 40 miles - from Klamath to the Oregon border.

Officials in Crescent City issued the warning after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s coast provoked tsunami waves.

Crescent City has observed dozens of tsunamis since the 1930s, including one which killed 11 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings in the city in 1964.

That event is considered the worst tsunami disaster recorded in the United States.

The city’s downtown area was mostly rebuilt and today a walking tour highlights high-water marks posted on surviving buildings.

Cruise passengers stranded as ships abandon ports amid tsunami fears

Panicked tourists took to social media to share their desperation as cruise ships appeared to hastily depart from Hawaii without passengers.

One TikTok user, @demifreeman, posted a video of people frantically running down a port towards their ship on the social media site.

The clip said: 'POV: tsunami in Hawaii and your cruise is leaving without people. Actually insane.

'Actually insane,' the passenger said in the caption, adding: 'We are going to be in the middle of the tsunami in the ocean.'

The US Tsunami Warning Centers said waves exceeding three meters above the tide level were possible along some coasts of northwestern Hawaiian islands.

Tsunami waves hit California

Tsunami waves hit the California coast Wednesday morning, with one measuring 3.6 feet recorded in Crescent City, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.

The coastal city remains under tsunami warning.

Officials asked that people stay away from the beaches and coastline until the alerts are lifted.

WATCH: Panicked sea lions jump off clips during Russia earthquake

The 8.8 magnitude quake that struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday was one of the largest ever recorded.

Russian authorities said several people were injured in the quake, but said all were in stable condition, though they gave few details.

The Russian authorities didn’t report any significant damage on Kamchatka. The main city, Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, is located on the coast of Avacha Bay that protected it from waves.

One of the world's strongest quakes

The quake struck at 8:25 a.m. Japan time with a magnitude of 8.8 magnitude and a depth of about 13 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was centered about 75 miles from the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed.

The earthquake appeared to be the strongest recorded since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 that caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured around the world.

How chaos unfolded as 'one of the biggest ever' earthquakes struck Russia

Dramatic visuals show how Tsunami panic unfolded after 'one of the biggest ever' earthquakes struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Russia's Kamchatka.

Hawaii residents asked to stay away from the water after evacuation orders lifted

Hawaii was still under a tsunami advisory as Wednesday began, but evacuation orders on the Big Island and Oahu, the most populated island, had been lifted.

An advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbors.

'As you return home, still stay off the beach and stay out of the water,' said James Barros, administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

The impact of the tsunami could last for hours or perhaps more than a day, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska.

PICTURED: People fish off Venice pier amid tsunami warning

Men were pictured fishing at the Venice pier amid a tsunami warning in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning.

The National Tsunami Warning Center, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami advisory for parts of California, Oregon and Washington.

A tsunami advisory has also been issued for much of the coast of Canada’s Pacific Coast province of British Columbia.

Tsunami wave reports across US Pacific CoastImages show water receding in Hawaii as residents try to flee amid tsunami alert

Shocking footage captured water rapidly receding in Kauai as Hawaii officials asked people to head to higher ground ahead of a potential tsunami.

Hawaii residents got in their cars as they looked for higher ground after the alert, causing a massive traffic gridlock.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said officials observed water receding by 20 to 30 feet at Haleiwa Harbor on Oahu, the state’s most populous island, an indication tsunami waves will arrive. The waves pulling out left boats to lay on dry rock and sand.

'That gave us pause,' Green said.

Hawaii and parts of Japan have now downgraded tsunami warnings, with Hawaii lifting evacuation orders across the state while leaving a tsunami advisory in place.

Officials in Hawaii said residents who had evacuated could return to their homes.

Hawaii officials downgrade tsunami warning

Officials in Hawaii downgraded the tsunami warning to an advisory Wednesday morning.

'Those who have evacuated may safely return home, based on county assessments and directives,' said Major General Stephen Logan.

Tsunamis 'reached five to six metres' near epicentre - as waves start to reach the U.S.

Tsunami waves brought on by the earthquake off Kamchatka, in Russia's far east, reached heights of '5-6 metres', local experts have assessed.

Igor Medvedev, head of the tsunami laboratory at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, told the TASS news agency: 'This is a significant tsunami.

'According to visual observations, wave heights rose to 5-6 meters at several locations in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands.'

Powerful waves pushed toward coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands, Japan, Hawaii and Alaska after the 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck early Wednesday.

Waves are now starting to approach the U.S. West coast, authorities are warning.

Initial waves of around 3.6ft - a little over a metre - have so far been observed in California.

Tsunami warning cancelled for Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

The US National Weather Service Guam called off its tsunami advisory, after waves of up to a foot were observed on the American territory in Micronesia.

Four metre waves IMMINENT in French Polynesia

Authorities in French Polynesia warned the population of several of the Marquesas Islands to expect tsunami waves up to 4 metres high (13ft) in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a huge quake off Russia's Far east.

They said the waves would reach the islands of Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa at 00:57 a.m. local time (1027 GMT).

Other islands in the Marquesas are expected to experience wave heights between 0.60 m and 0.90 m, the local government said.

Tsunami waves observed in Oregon and Washington state

Oregon has seen a maximum observed wave height of 1.4ft, at Port Orford, while Washington state has seen tsunamis of up to 0.7ft, at Charleston, according to new figures.

Crescent City, in California, has seen waves measuring up to 3.6ft so far. Adak, in Alaska, saw 2.7ft waves.

Tsunami warnings hold in Hokkaido and Tohoku - as Japan downgrades alert in the south

Japan's Meteorological Agency downgraded its tsunami alert to an advisory in the Pacific coast south of Fukushima, with the alert still in place farther north.

Workers at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeast Japan - destroyed by a huge quake and tsunami in 2011 - were evacuated earlier today, its operator said.

At Inage Beach in Chiba prefecture in Japan, a security perimeter was set up, and a rescue worker told AFP that the seaside area was off limits until further notice.

'I didn't expect there to be a tsunami; I actually made a joke about it when we heard (the alert),' Canadian tourist Leana Lussier, 17, told AFP.

Waves of up to 4 metres expected in French Polynesia after quake, authorities warn

Waves of up to 4 metres are expected to hit the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia in the early hours of Wednesday, local authorities said.

Waves ranging from '1.10 metres to 4 metres' on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas archipelago are expected overnight from around 1:00 am local time (1100 GMT), the High Commission of the French Republic in French Polynesia said in a statement.

It added that the islands of Ua Huka and Hiva Oa are also expected to be affected.

Metre-high tsunami waves approach California

Tsunami waves measuring 3.6ft (1.1m) were observed at Crescent City in California, the National Tsunami Warning Center reported.

Los Angeles weather service warns residents to stay away from affected areas, with water levels surging and changing rapidlySeveral injured by quake in Russia's far east

Several people were injured by the earthquake in Russia's far east, state media reported on Wednesday.

The magnitude 8.8 quake struck off Petropavlovsk on Russia's remote Kamchatka peninsula, and was the largest since 2004.

The first tidal wave hit the coastal part of Severo-Kurilsk on the island. Residents were evacuated to a hill.

A wall collapsed in a pre-school in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, local media reports, but there were no casualties.

A hotline was set up as calls to emergency services surged across the island.

'The walls were shaking,' one Kamchatka resident told state media Zvezda.

'It's good that we packed a suitcase, there was one with water and clothes near the door. We quickly grabbed it and ran out... It was very scary,' she said.

The TASS news agency reported that experts predict aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 7.5 for 'at least a month'.

Pacific warning centre downgrades Hawaii tsunami alert to 'advisory'

The Pacific warning centre has downgraded the Hawaii tsunami alert to 'advisory' and said it was safe for residents to return to evacuated areas.

A major tsunami is not expected to strike the U.S. state of Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said in an update.

There were no reports of major damage.

WATCH: Earthquake hits Russia with tsunami warnings in US and JapanJapan warns tsunami threat may last another day

Japan's Meteorological Agency warned that the threat of a high tsunami will last for another day.

Masashi Kiyomoto, a spokesperson for the agency, asked people to get to high ground and other safe places as the tsunami continues to be observed

Colombia orders Pacific evacuations

Colombia has orders evacuations following the Russian quake that caused tsunami waves to go around the world.

Dozens of ships fled Honolulu before tsunami, data reveals

According to MarineTraffic, 91 vessels left honolulu Harbour in the hours following tsunami alerts.

The vessel tracking service said that the majority 'comprised fishing boats, pleasure crafts and Coast Guard ships, moving to deeper waters as a safety measure.'

Tsunami waves now reach Washington state

Tsunami waves have now reached Washington state, according to the US National Weather Service.

Officials from the agency said: 'Keep away from the water and shore until local officials say it is safe to return.'

Rescuers in Russia seen inspecting a kindergarten damaged by massive earthquake Dozens of aftershocks seen near 8.8-magnitude earthquake's epicentre

The US Geological Survey has recorded dozens of aftershock in the area surrounding the epicentre.

Where did this morning's earthquake hit?

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and sparked evacuation orders in Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday.

The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote

California sees first tsunami waves

The US' national weather service said this morning that California has now begun to see its first tsunami waves.

Trackers in Crescent City and North Spit, two cities directly on California's coast, detected wave patterns consistent with tsunamis.

The agency warned: 'Waves will continue to build in through the night and will become more dangerous as we approach high tide. Stay away from beaches!'

Tsunami waves now seen in Guam

Waves of up to a foot have been observed on Guam, an American territory in Micronesia, according to the island's office of civil defence.

It added that while the waves of a similar height are continuing, they are 'expected to gradually diminish in the coming hours.'

Which nations are facing possible tsunamis?

The US Tsunami Warning Centre said that waves of over three metres may hit Ecuador, Hawaii and Russia.

It said that waves of between one and three mettres could hit the coasts of Chile, Costa Rica, Hawaii and several islands in the Pacific.

And it added that waves of up to one metre may hit Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Tonga and Taiwan.

Japan has warned two million of its citizens to evacuate, following the tsunami, while the US' National Weather Service told people on the West Coast to avoid the sea.

Hawaii records wave of nearly six feet, as officials warn danger is 'not over yet'

The US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it had recorded waves of nearly six feet hitting Maui.

It comes as the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said that the waves that hit the archipelago could be even worse in the coming hours.

WATCH: Russian surgeons bravely continue operation despite earthquakeTwo million told to evacuate in Japan

More than 1.9million people in Japan are being told to evacuate their homes.

People in 207 towns and cities across 21 prefectures are being told they are in danger, following the earthquake and tsunami that struck this morning.

WATCH: Russian homes flood as tsunami crashed into coastlineChina lifts tsunami alerts for two coastal cities

China has lifted its tsunami alerts for the coastal cities of Shanghai and Zheijiang.

British tourist in Hawaii received tsunami alert on her phone

Rachel Burrows, a British tourist on a cruise ship off the coast of Hawaii, said she was alerted by sirens and forced to rush back to the ship.

She told BBC Breakfast she was on a tour on the Big Island.

'We started getting emergency warnings sing on our phones. The first one was tsunami you are in immediate danger, you need to move to higher ground.'

The tour guide was at first dismissive of the warning, saying they happened all the time.

While on their way to a chocolate factory, the tour was stopped after traffic started getting worse due to evacuations and the group were hurried back to the ship.

She added: 'It was quite scary because all the sirens started going off in the area.

'Everyone was running trying to get on the cruise ship, because we needed to get out to sea.

'We were luckily some of the last ones to get on the cruise ship.'

Empty streets in Hawaii after evacuation

A pedestrian crosses and empty Ala Moana Boulevard ahead of an anticipated tsunami while waved roll on to an empty Waikiki Beach.

Large areas of the US state have been evacuated after a tsunami warning was issued.

Fukushima nuclear power plant evacuated as fears grow for repeat of 2011 disaster

Around 4,000 workers have been evacuated from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The site's usual release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea has also been temporarily suspended as a precautionary step.

The plant was previously at the centre of a major nuclear incident following an earthquake and tsunami, which caused an electrical grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant's backup energy sources.

The incident caused radioactive spillover into the surrounding area and is regarded as the worst nuclear incident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

A spokeswoman of the plant operator TEPCO confirmed 'all workers and employees' had been evacuated from the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

She added that 'no abnormality' had been observed at the site.

Tourists seen evacuating Russian area hit by tsunami

People were evacuated after magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit the Kamchatka Peninsula and a tsunami partially flooded the area.

The evacuation was carried out under the supervision of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Sakhalin Region.

In Kamchatka, about 60 tourists were evacuated from Khalaktyrsky Beach with the help of three cross-country vehicles.

Civilians were evacuated from the port of Severo-Kurilsk after a tsunami partially flooded the area

Hawaii governor says no big wave activity on Big Island yet

Hawaii governor Josh Green has said no large wave activity has come past the Big Island in Hawaii.

Speaking at a press conference he said it was a 'blessing to not be reportiong any damage'.

He ordered residents to not call 911 unless there was an emergency.

He added: 'Don't get on the road at all, unless you have to. Stay in and watch television.'

Speaking at a press conference he said all flights of Maui have been cancelled. Around 200 people were being sheltered at the airport, he said.

He praised residents for taking caution.

People take shelter on rooftops in Japan and Hawaii

Members of the public in Hokkaido in northern Japan have been seen taking shelter on roofs and on balconies in tall buildings.

People were seen on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa town in Hokkaido.

Meanwhile tourists in Hawaii were seen standing on balconies at the 'Alohilani Resort looking towards Waikiki Beach after authorities warned of the possibility of a tsunami wave

Tsunami waves in Russian town reached up to five metres in height

Tsunami waves near the Russian Pacific town of Severo-Kurilsk on the Kuril islands exceeded three metres in height.

Some of the most powerful waves reached up to five metres.

About 2,700 people were evacuated to safe locations on the islands.

Tsunami waves now hitting Hawaii

Tsunami waves are starting to hit the US state of Hawaii.

The area of Haleiwa in Hawii had record tsunami aplitude of 4ft relative to normal sea levels.

The town of Hanelei recorded waves heights of 3ft relative to normal sea level.

Emergency evacuation sirens blaring in Tonga

Emergency evacuation sirens blasted through Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa on Wednesday.

Alerts are in place along the coastlines of Niua and Vava’u amid fears a tsunami could strike tonight.

Tonga’s National Tsunami Warning Centre said members of the 'public who are in the tsunami threat area are advised to prepare to evacuate.'

'Mariners out at sea are advised to prepare to move to deep water.'

Tonga is a neighbour of Australia and New Zealand.

WATCH: Large waves slam Hokkaido as Japan orders tsunami evacuationsState of emergency declared in tsunami-hit Russian islands

The Sakhalin government in Russia said in a statement on Monday morning that a state of emergency has been declared in certain tsunami-hit regions.

A spokesperson said: 'A state of emergency has been declared in the North Kuril District, where an earthquake and tsunami occurred today.'

Buildings have been damaged and inundated with water in the region, with flooding underway.

Already, images are beginning to emerge of the aftermath of the tsunami in the Kuril Islands.

WATCH: Huge quake causes tsunami chaos around the Pacific

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has added Australia to its advisory, saying waves of 0.3m to 1m are possible along the east coast after the magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Russia.

Tsunami expected to hit parts of eastern China

Authorities said damage is expected to be felt along coastal areas of China.

China’s tsunami warning centre said waves of between 30cm and one meter are expected.

'Based on the latest warning and analysis results, the Tsunami Advisory Centre of the Ministry of National Resources has determined that the earthquake has triggered a tsunami, which is expected to cause damage to certain coastal areas of China,' the center said.

Ecuador evacuates parts of Galápagos Islands

Late Tuesday Ecuador began preventive evacuations across beaches, docks and low-lying areas in the Galápagos Islands off its coast.

It comes as Mexico revealed it had mobilized 'all levels of government' to respond to the threat of a tsunami, and Peru revealed officials were on alert and considering further steps.

'Line of communication' open with FEMA, authorities say

FEMA is prepared to intervene and offer support to Hawaii if the tsunami leaves significant damage.

Hawaiian authorities said they have opened a 'line of communication' with the appropriate channels within FEMA ahead of the tsunami landing.

All Port Honolulu commercial vessels ordered to evacuate

The Captain of the Port Honolulu has issued an order for all commercial vessels to evacuate all commercial harbors in Hawaii.

WATCH: How to prepare for incoming tsunamiEarthquake struck within 'ring of fire'

Kamchatka and Russia's Far East sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Russian Academy of Sciences said it was the strongest quake to hit the region since 1952.

'However, due to certain characteristics of the epicentre, the shaking intensity was not as high ... as one might expect from such a magnitude,' said Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service, on Telegram.

'Aftershocks are currently ongoing ... Their intensity will remain fairly high. However, stronger tremors are not expected in the near future. The situation is under control.'

Locals shelter on rooftop in Japan amid tsunami fears

People have taken shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa, Hokkaido in northern Japan.

Similar sized earthquakes have wiped out hundreds of people

Earthquakes with similar force to the one recorded today have caused widespread damage in the past.

At a magnitude 8.8, it is tied as the sixth strongest earthquake in history.

A 2010 earthquake in Chile which was also 8.8 magnitude tragically killed 523 people and destroyed more than 370,000 homes.

And in 1906, an earthquake in the Esmeraldas in Ecuador killed 1,500 people.

In 2011, a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.

No tsunami threat to Australia

The Bureau of Meteorology's Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories as a result of the Kamchatka earthquake.

Hawaiian governor signs emergency proclamation ahead of devastating tsunami

Governor Josh Green said 'both the State and County Emergency Operations Centers are fully activated' as he urged residents to 'please take this situation seriously.'

'The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency issued evacuations earlier today for those in tsunami evacuation zones,' he said.

'If you are in a coastal area, move inland and to higher ground immediately. Do not wait.'

The Philippines, Indonesia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Chile all under tsunami alertNational Weather Service has updated Los Angeles threat level from 'Watch' to 'Advisory' amid fears tsunami will strike at 4am

The National Weather Service has now updated the tsunami threat level across Los Angeles from a 'Watch' to an 'Advisory'.

'A Tsunami Advisory has been issued, replacing the Tsunami Watch,' a spokesperson said.

'The tsunami should arrive near 1AM tonight (4am EST).

'If you are located in the coastal area, move off the beach & out of harbors & marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch.'

This alert is relevant for residents within Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

Heavy traffic in Hawaii as residents seek higher ground

Heavy traffic has been reported in Hawaii as tsunami sirens blare and residents are warned to seek higher ground before the first predicted waves.

Extraordinary photos on X show people fleeing in their cars as traffic hits a standstill during the commotion.

Long term residents on the island have described the alarms as the first true tsunami warning in years.

Adjutant General, Hawai‘i Department of Defense Stephen Logan said: 'Right now, Hawaiʻi is in a Tsunami Warning with first waves hitting at 7:10pm.

'The sirens will be going off... three hours (4:10pm), two hours (5:10pm), one hour (6:10pm) and a half hour (6:40pm) prior to the first wave. Please familiarize yourself with the Tsunami Evacuation Zones located here: https://static.pdc.org/tsunami/index.html…

'It will take at least 30 minutes for the waves to get from Kauaʻi to Hawaiʻi Island, do not return to the evacuation zones until given the “all clear.”

'Please check on your friends, family and neighbors.'

He added: 'If you are near high-rise buildings when an evacuation order is issued, consider vertical evacuation.

'To vertically evacuate, proceed to the fourth floor or higher of a building that is 10 stories or taller.

'Waves are currently estimated to be 1 to 3.5 meters high, which means coastal flooding.'

Beachgoers were pictured making their way from the shores holding beach toys and towels amid the chaos.

Workers at stricken Fukushima nuclear plant evacuate after tsunami warning

Workers at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeast Japan were evacuated Wednesday after an earthquake off the coast of Russia triggered tsunami warnings around the Pacific.

'We have evacuated all workers and employees' at the Fukushima Daiichi plant - which went into meltdown after being hit by a tsunami in 2011 - a spokeswoman for plant operator TEPCO told AFP.

The spokeswoman added that 'no abnormality' had been observed at the site.

WATCH: Tsunami waves swamp buildings after massive earthquake in Russia

Buildings in Russia are under water after the first waves of a tsunami hit following a massive earthquake.

It is understood 'several people' sustained injuries while evacuating, including a woman who jumped out of a window.

President Trump addresses tsunami warnings and horror earthquake

President Trump has issued a statement about the tsunami warnings and horror earthquake off the coast of Russia in a Sunday night Truth Social post.

He wrote: 'Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii.

'A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States.

'Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!'

Kindergarten damaged in Russia during quake

Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov confirmed that a kindergarten was damaged in the earthquake.

'Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,' he said.

No students were inside the building at the time as it was being repaired.

Earthquake upgraded to 8.8 magnitude

The initial earthquake - already the largest in 14 years - has been upgraded from an 8.7 magnitude to 8.8 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey.

This makes it the sixth strongest earthquake to ever hit the planet.

New Zealand issues tsunami alert

New Zealand authorities have warned people in coastal areas to stay away from beaches and shore areas.

Areas under threat:

- The West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Raglan, including the West Coast of Auckland and Manukau Harbour, and from Hawera to Whanganui.

- The East and South Coasts of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Makara including Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, Lake Ferry, the Wellington South Coast and Wellington Harbour.

- The West Coast of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika,

- The top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Port Underwood including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds.

- The East and South Coasts of the South Island from the Clarence River to Puysegur Point including Kaikoura, Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula and Invercargill.

- Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.

There is no need to evacuate unless ordered to be local authorities, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

First tsunami waves hit Japan, Russia

A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s large northern island of Hokkaido after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake early Wednesday.

Tsunami warning sirens blared Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido.

The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia’s Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko.

He said residents were safe and staying on high ground until the threat of a repeat wave was gone.

A timelapse of the 2011 Japan earthquake has provided a shocking glimpse into how fast it takes a tsunami to reach the rest of the world.

The 9.1 Richter quake struck the north east coast of Honshu - Japan's main island - at 2.46pm local time on March 11, causing a tsunami up to 56ft high that washed inland and destroyed everything in its path.

A harrowing reconstruction of the disaster shows how within a matter of the hours the colossal wave was able to cross the largest ocean on earth - resulting in devastating consequences for any country in its wake.

What time could a tsunami hit the west coast of America?

Authorities have warned residents along the west coast to prepare for a potential tsunami.

These are the times it could hit each location:

Hawaii: 7.17pm HST (1.17am EST)

Washington State: 11.40pm PT (2.40am EST)

Oregon: 11.40pm PT (2.40am EST)

California, San Francisco: 12.40pm PT (3.40am EST)

California, Malibu and San Diego: 1.05am PT (4.05am EST)

Terrifying warning from Hawaiian authorities: 'All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face'

Hawaiian authorities have issued a chilling explainer ahead of an approaching tsunami.

'A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas.

'The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest.

'Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face.

'The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor but the area will quickly flood again.

Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power.

'Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.'

California issues Tsunami Watch warning

Authorities in California are currently evaluating the threat, but have warned a tsunami could arrive as early as 12.15am local time.

'Flooding of coastal regions is possible,' authorities warned.

The Watch alert includes all coastal regions in the Bay Area and Central Coast, including San Francisco and San Pablo bays.

Three meter waves expected to strike Japan, authorities say

The Japan National Tourism Organization has started rolling out urgent warnings for regions which are at risk of 3 meter tsunami waves within hours.

The impacted regions are:

- coastal regions of Wakayama Prefecture

- coastal regions of Southern Part of Mie Prefecture

- coastal regions of Pacific Coast of Aichi Prefecture

- coastal regions of Shizuoka Prefecture

- coastal regions of Sagami Bay and Miura Peninsula

- coastal regions of Ogasawara Islands

- coastal regions of Izu Islands

- coastal regions of Uchibo Area, Chiba Prefecture

- coastal regions of Kujukuri and Sotobo Area, Chiba Prefecture

- coastal regions of Ibaraki Prefecture

- coastal regions of Fukushima Prefecture

- coastal regions of Miyagi Prefecture

- coastal regions of Iwate Prefecture

- coastal regions of Pacific Coast of Aomori Prefecture

- coastal regions of Western part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

- coastal regions of Central part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

- coastal regions of Eastern part of Pacific Coast of Hokkaido

Oahu emergency management issues urgent alert for Hawaii residents: Take action now

Oahu Emergency Management has issued an urgent warning for residents to 'take action' now ahead of expected 'destructive tsunami waves.'

People within evacuation areas on the island are uregd to seek higher ground or take shelter on the 4th floor or above of a building at least 10 stories high.

Tsunami warnings issued for parts of Russia, Japan

Russia's Kamchatka's Pensinsula has been placed under tsunami warning with residents urged to stay clear of the coastline.

A tsunami wave up to four meters tall has already been recorded in the region, authorities revealed.

Meanwhile, the Pacific coast of Japan is under a similar warning with fears that waves of up to 1 meter will reach the coast between 10am and 11am.

Similarly, residents have been warned to stay away from the coastline.

Tsunami warning issued for parts of America

Authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center have warned that 'a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive' to coastal areas.

It also warned that 'waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.'

'Prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued,' meteorologist Matthew Capucci warned.

Preliminary data from the US Geological Survey shows the quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST.

It is the largest earthquake to hit since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan.

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