RUSSIA: Russia’s far eastern coast was rocked by a powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Initially measured at 8.0, the quake’s magnitude was later upgraded.

The epicenter was located 136 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 19 km.

Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued. Kamchatka’s governor urged residents to stay away from coastal areas, although only minor damage has been reported so far.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned of waves up to 1 meter high along its coast.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned about the potential for a large and hazardous tsunami.

Alerts have also been issued for parts of Hawaii and Alaska.

In Russia’s Sakhalin Island, residents are being evacuated to safer areas, according to local authorities.

The Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most seismically active zones.