A major tsunami is no longer expected to hit Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said, following a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia's east coast. The centre warned that all coasts could remain hazardous to swimmers and boaters due to sea level changes, powerful waves and strong currents.
Hawaii's emergency management agency lifted evacuation orders and reported no major damage. The tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory on Wednesday morning. The highest recorded waves in Hawaii reached 1.8 metres (6ft). Tsunami warning sirens had sounded on Tuesday evening in Honolulu, prompting evacuations of some coastal areas.
The US Coast Guard advised boats to leave port ahead of the tsunami's arrival, and airports were briefly closed. The first waves hit shortly after 8pm local time, with gauges recording wave heights of up to 1.7 metres above normal sea level.
The earthquake generated tsunami waves of up to 4 metres on Russia's east coast, damaging buildings and prompting evacuation warnings in the region and across most of Japan's east coast. Tsunami warnings and advisories also affected parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Canada's British Columbia.
In California, Crescent City saw waves as high as 8ft, but no flooding or damage occurred. Officials advised residents to be cautious of dangerous currents throughout the day. Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, said Black Hawk helicopters and high-water vehicles were on standby for rescues, urging people not to put themselves in harm's way.
