A MASSIVE earthquake struck Russia’s Far East early today, sending tsunami waves into Japan and Hawaii and across the Pacific. 

The earthquake appeared to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the 9.0 magnitude quake off north-eastern Japan in March 2011 that caused a massive tsunami, triggering meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 

The quake was centred about 74 miles east-south east of the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka peninsula. There were multiple aftershocks of up to 6.9 in magnitude.

No substantial damage had been reported as of this evening, but authorities warned people away from shorelines and said the risk could last for more than a day.

In the Philippines, authorities advised people to stay away from the beach and coastal areas.

“It may not be the largest of waves, but these can continue for hours and expose people swimming in the waters to danger,” said Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Mexico’s navy issued tsunami warnings along the Pacific coast to Chiapas state, but they were later downgraded.

New Zealand authorities warned of “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” along all coastlines. 

Warnings to stay away from shorelines until last night were also issued in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands.