Megaquake off Russian coast sparks tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Japan, other countries

A powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east has prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific including the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, Russia, and Ecuador, and warnings along the California coast, US authorities said.

The massive temblor triggered warnings of waves up to three meters (10 feet) possibly hitting the coasts of Russia, Hawaii and even Ecuador and Chile along South America's west coast, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The United States further sounded the alarm with a series of alerts of varying levels along North America's West Coast, from Alaska down to the entire coast of California.

PHIVOLCS advised people to stay away from beaches in coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, July 30 as these regions are expected to experience tsunami waves of less than one meter in height.

Japan's weather agency also upgraded its tsunami warning earlier in the day after the magnitude of the quake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula was boosted by the USGS to 8.7 from an initial 8.0, saying waves of up to three meters were expected.

"A tsunami advisory has been issued as of 08:37 (2337 GMT) on July 30," the Japan Meteorological Agency said on X, warning that "tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted."

Tsunamis of up to one meter were expected to hit between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (0100-0230 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, calling for residents to stay away from coasts and riversides.

Advisories were also put out for the US island territory of Guam, and tsunami alerts were pushed to mobile phones in California, according to local AFP reporters.

"Tsunami waves reaching more than 3 meters above the tide level are possible along some coasts of northwestern Hawaiian islands... and Russia," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, describing the potential conditions as "hazardous."

At least six aftershocks have further rattled the region, including one of 6.9 magnitude and another listed at 6.3.

The epicenter of the earthquake is roughly the same as a massive 9.0 temblor in 1952 which resulted in a destructive, Pacific-wide tsunami, according to the USGS. (with reports from Reuters)