8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Near Russia Prompts Tsunami Alerts In Hawaii, Alaska And West Coast

A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia Tuesday, sparking tsunami warnings in Alaska and Hawaii and alerts for other areas of the West Coast.

The earthquake occurred about 85 miles off the east coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula with a depth of nearly 12 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency upgraded the earthquake's reported magnitude from initial reports of 8.0 and 8.7.

Magnitude 6.3 and 6.9 aftershocks were also reported in the area, according to USGS.

A tsunami warning was announced for Alaska's Aleutian Islands and Hawaii. California, Oregon and Washington are under a tsunami advisory, while the threat is being evaluated.

The U.S. territories of Guam and American Samoa are also under a tsunami advisory, according to USGS.

The first tsunami wave is forecast to reach Hawaii just after 7:15 p.m. local time. Destructive tsunami waves are expected, according to Oahu Emergency Management.

Sources told ABC News the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has activated its Emergency Operations Center. Officials have also proactively activated their Joint Information Center and are meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green's team.

Sirens are currently going off on all Hawaii islands as a part of their statewide warning system, ten minutes after the hour for the next three hours to warn people.

People are urged to evacuate coastal areas, according to officials. Residents in Honolulu were urged to evacuate the primary evacuation zone or go to at least the fourth floor of a building.

All shores of the island are at risk because tsunami waves wrap around islands, according to the National Weather Service.

"The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest," the NWS said in an alert.

An advisory was also issued for Japan's Pacific Coast regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu.    

Japan's meteorological agency warned that a tsunami about 1 meter (3 feet) high is expected to reach Hokkaido in the north around 10:00 a.m., local time, with waves arriving later in the day along parts of eastern Honshu and Kyushu in the south.

People are warned to stay away from the coast and river mouths and not to approach the water to observe.

Ecuador and Chile are also under tsunami alerts, according to local officials.

A tsunami warning means that a tsunami that could cause widespread, dangerous flooding and powerful currents is expected. A tsunami watch means a distant earthquake has occurred and a tsunami is possible.

Source: ABC News