Hawaii, Alaska And U.S. West Coast Under Tsunami Alert After Massive Quake Off Russian Coast

Tsunami alerts were issued Tuesday for Alaska, Hawaii, and the entire U.S. West Coast after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia, according to multiple reports.

The massive quake hit roughly 85 miles off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, reaching a depth of nearly 12 miles, ABC News reported. Following the earthquake, the National Weather Service issued alerts for the U.S. West Coast, the U.S. territory of Guam, Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, Hawaii and other global locations that could be affected by the aftermath.

Initial records from the United States Geological Survey had the earthquake as an 8.0 magnitude, however, it was upgraded to 8.7 and then to 8.8 magnitude as of Tuesday evening, according to Fox2.

According to Island News, the first potential tsunami wave for Hawaii is expected to arrive around 7:10 p.m. local time. Sirens across the islands are set to sound at 4:10 p.m., 5:10 p.m., and 6:10 p.m., the outlet reported.

Officials have urged Hawaii residents in potentially impacted coastal areas to evacuate, with concerns that tsunami waves could wrap around the island’s shores if impact occurs, ABC News reported.