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Tsunami warning for Hawaii and Alaska after huge 8.0 magnitude earthquake near Russia

A massive 8.0 magnitude earthquake has been recorded in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, causing shocks across the pacific and tsunami alerts in Hawaii, Alaska and Japan

[near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula]

The earthquake happened near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

A tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii, Alaska and most of Japan's east coast following a huge earthquake off the Russian coast.

A magnitude 8.0 quake hit near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula has led to Japanese authorities to warn residents along the the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Kyushu to be vigilant of a tsunami.

Japan Meterological Agency said the quake occurred at 8:25am (12.25am UK time) and registered a preliminary magnitude of 8.0. The US Geological Survey said it hit at a depth of 19.3 kilometers (12 miles). There was no immediate information from Russia about how Kamchatka was affected there.

[Tsunami warnings for two US states after massive 8.0 earthquake strikes off coast of Russia]

There are tsunami warnings for two US states after massive 8.0 earthquake strikes off coast of Russia(Image: USGS)

It issued an advisory for a tsunami of up to one meter along the Pacific coast of Japan.

While Hawaii was put on a tsunami watch, parts of Alaska have been put on a tsunami advisory. A tsunami watch is issued first, and can be upgraded to an advisory if waves turn dangerous.

People living in areas should stay away from coasts and river estuaries, the Japan Meteorological Agency has said today.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, if waves did hit Hawaii, the earliest would arrive around 7:17pm HST.

The president, who is nearing the end of a 5-day trip to Scotland, took to Truth Social to express his support for those back home, despite the time-difference.

"Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii," Trump wrote. "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!"

Huge waves have already crashed against the coast on the east of Japan, including on the island of Hokkaido. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a first tsunami wave of about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido.

Meanwhile, people in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia are running out into the street without shoes following the impact. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. A press agency in Russia also reported power outages and mobile phone service failures.

It also quoted a local Russian official as saying residents on Sakhalin Island were being evacuated and emergency services were working at full capacity.

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