Millions of Americans were under threat of a devastating tsunami following a massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia.
Residents in Hawaii were urged to evacuate from coastal areas as the entire island chain braced for the impact at 1 am EST.
Tsunami warnings were also in effect for parts of Alaska and Japan while a tsunami watch has been expanded to cover the entire West Coast of the United States.
Data from the US Geological Survey shows the quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska, Russia at around 7.24pm EST.
The Department of Emergency Management for Oahu, an island of Hawaii, urged residents on the coast to evacuate the area or at least move to higher ground ahead.
Officials in Guam also urged residents to get off the beaches and harbors.
The tsunami ‘could be destructive’ to coastal areas, authorities at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned.
The warning added that ‘waves reaching more than three meters above the tide level [or about 10 feet] are possible along some coasts of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.’
The National Weather Service also warned residents they ‘are in danger.’
A tsunami watch has been extended to cover the entire West Coast of the United States
The quake reached a magnitude of 8.7 and struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7.24pm EST
‘Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return,’ the department said in an alert.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci also urged Americans to ‘prepare to evacuate vertically if warnings are issued.’
‘Move away from beaches, harbors, marinas, bays and inlets. If you’re in a boat and cannot reach shore, sail away from the coast into deeper waters where the tsunami’s energy will be dispersed. Head to a place with an ocean depth of at least 180 feet.’
The earthquake on Tuesday came just over one week after several other tremors struck the area, including one that measured a 7.4 magnitude.
Tuesday’s earthquake is the largest this year, and is the first magnitude 8.0 or higher since 2021.
The last 8.7 magnitude earthquake occurred on February 4, 1965 on the Rat Islands off the coast of Alaska.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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