Tsunami warnings have been issued for Russia, Japan, parts of Alaska and parts of Hawaii.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 20.7 km in Russia, approximately 74 miles (119 km) southeast of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, Russia.
The earthquake is the strongest on the planet since 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan in the northeastern part of the world, causing a devastating tsunami.
Local Governor Vladimir Sorodov said the tsunami was declared on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. Authorities say tsunamis are recorded at 3-4 meters high in Erizobo district of Kamchatka. Minimal damage has been reported so far, Sorodov said.
Tsunami warnings have also been issued to Japan’s Pacific coast, with the country’s weather agency warning that waves up to 3 meters are expected to arrive at the country between 10am and 11am local time. The agency warned people to stay away from the coast.
According to the National Weather Service, the first wave is expected to collide around 7:17pm local time, and a tsunami warning was also issued for Hawaii.
“A potentially damaging tsunami has been created along the coastlines of all Hawaiian islands. Emergency action should be taken to protect lives and property,” the Weather Service warned.
Tsunami warnings are also effective in parts of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Tsunami watches are in place to the West Coast of Canada and the US Mexican border.
The epicenter of the earthquake is off the coast of Russia’s Far East Kamchatka Peninsula..
Kamchatka is part of the Pacific Ring Fire, an area of severe earthquakes and volcanic activity on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
Sakhalin Governor Valerie Limalenko said residents had taken shelter to Sakhalin, a Russian island in the Pacific, southwest of the epicenter, RIA News reported.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
